Lawinenlagebericht

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sat
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 6 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Snowpack is settling and less reactive than the past two weeks.  There are still persistent weak layers that could be triggered if you hit the wrong spot.  The probability has decreased but the consequence remains high.  Steep terrain near ridgetops could be more sensitive and more destructive if one were to trigger an avalanche.  One could gain confidence with the settling but be aware it could be variable as the pack is still working on it's bonding.  

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–3

    The surface hoar that is just above the ice crust a few feet down is still very visible and easy to find on all aspects across the forecast area.  On a West aspect in the Cabinets I found it 2 feet deep but surprisingly stubborn.  I did not get any results on my ECT but recent observations from just a few days ago say that whoomphing is still going on out there.  Route and terrain selection is important in navigating and staying clear of lower probability but high consequence avalanches.  I would be hesitant to get on or near any steep and open terrain due to the unknown knowing that things are settling but not everywhere is settling at the same time.  With the surface hoar being the primary layer of concern it is also important to note that there is some faceting going on within the ice crust and there are numerous weak layers below that ice crust bridge that we have had.  We have had large temperature changes in the past 7 days.  Looking at the snowtel it has warmed 30 degrees in a week.  This has helped contribute to some faceting in the snowpack, as seen in the ice crust layer yesterday.  Any avalanche has the possibility to step down to the weaker deeper layers as well.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–3

    New storm snow this week has been coming with lighter winds out of the more common SW.  We picked up 3 inches overnight in the Cabinets and Selkirks.  The newer snow will likely be slabbed up near the ridgetops and in loading zones.  Otherwise, most if not all aspects will have some older, and perhaps buried wind slabs built up from earlier in the week.  On terrain that is more protected from terrain and timber, the snow surface conditions are optimal.  The cooler weather has kept the snow surface cool and light.  There is alot of safe and fun terrain to recreate on and I think it is best to save the big stuff for a later date.  

Avalanche Discussion

We have warmed up to normal temperatures since the cold weather last week.  We have a complex snowpack with crusts, persistent weak layers, cold snaps that recover to normal temperatures and an expected warming trend with the "atmospheric river" words mentioned in upcoming forecasts.  We are always looking at changes in the weather and snowpack and when they are "rapid" that is a red flag.  For now temperatures are good, winds are light, precipitation is low and slow.  That is a good thing that keeps us happy and the snowpack.  Just use caution as we know things are adjusting from the previously rapid changes in weather from the past week.  Be ready for the next rapid change if the weather and precipitation ramps up later into the weekend and into next week.  This will have potential to add to our complexities in the snowpack.  In the end it could be a good thing if it squashes the air out of some of the persistent weak layers being more wet and heavy....again we will have to give it time and assess as we go.  Feel free to share your observations to help us all gather a more accurate perception of reality in the backcountry.  Have a good and safe weekend.  

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