Lawinenlagebericht

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Wed
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

Today's primary avalanche concern will be pockets of wind slab on all aspects in steep terrain at tree line and above. You can avoid this problem by steering clear of terrain over 35 degrees and being attentive to pockets of wind-drifted snow. Steep chutes, cross-loaded gullies and terrain directly below ridgeline will be the locations most prone to triggering an avalanche today.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1–1.5

    Yesterday we observed plenty of loose snow on the surface of the snowpack and moderate westerly winds loading easterly aspects at tree line. With a cold front moving in last night the winds have switched to the northeast and are now causing reverse loading. Below tree line we lack enough loose snow to cause any wind slab formation at this time. These wind slabs will really be a problem in steep terrain at elevations above 5,000'. The safest and most enjoyable riding conditions will be found on terrain less than 35 degrees and sheltered by timber.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    2

    Elevations above 6,500' in the East Cabinets and Purcells had an abundant amount of snow that fell on a very firm wind crust layer last week. This wind crust provides a poor bonding surface and if you are travelling into these upper elevations take the time to dig into the upper 3 feet of the snowpack to check the potential and bonding strength of this interface. 

Avalanche Discussion

With winter giving us another reminder that it's not over yet we see a cold front pushing into the area this morning bringing  chilly northeast winds and a significant drop in temperature. The wind slab problem will be your main concern out there but it is easily avoidable by sticking to sheltered terrain which will also harbor the best riding conditions. So, stay out of the wind today for the safest and "most-funnest" riding experience. 

Looking at the snowpack yesterday in the West Cabinets we found a generally stable snowpack that was retaining abundant amounts of moisture from last week's rain. The upper 3 feet of the snowpack was very moist and capped by about 8" of nice soft snow overlying a 1-2" thick rain crust at elevations roughly above 5,000'. Below this elevation the snowpack was capped by a very firm rain crust measuring 8" in thickness. With temperatures forecasted to be much colder the next few days we can expect to see this abundant snowpack moisture to continue freezing and locking the snowpack together. We did find buried surface hoar about 3 feet deep which is the layer we have been concerned about for well over a month now. This layer is not showing much potential for creating an avalanche problem at the moment. Lastly, if you are a real "go-getter" and you find yourself poking into the highest mountains in the area then you will want to pay attention to how last week's heavy storm snow is sticking to the firm wind crust. It is something we were unable to get a good look at yesterday but I do expect there to be some potential instability at this interface that should resolve relatively quickly.

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