Lawinenlagebericht

San Francisco Peaks / Kachina Peaks Wilderness

Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sat
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 3 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

A skier or rider could trigger a large persistent slab avalanche near and above treeline. Although unlikely to be triggered, these avalanches could easily bury a skier or rider.  Wind loaded starting zones and their margins, where the snowpack is thinner, are the most likely spots to trigger a large and dangerous avalanche.  

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    1.5–2.5

    The weak layers and basal facets in or near the bottom of the snowpack are still present, in some areas they are starting to round and in other more northerly areas they continue to grow. This basal weak layer caused some of the larger slides in the avalanche cycle of more than a week ago.  In some locations, such as catchment zones and areas minimally disturbed by wind, this problem could be categorized as a deep persistent slab.  In other locations, such as wind-effected chutes and gullies, this layer is buried a mere 50 cm or less in the snowpack and could be triggered by a single rider or skier.  Although unlikely to be triggered, these avalanches could be large and easily bury a skier or rider.  Work around the top of avalanche paths guarded by large deposition zones and loaded starting zones, especially those on north facing slopes.  These loaded starting zones and their margins, where the snowpack is thinner, are the most likely spots to trigger a large and dangerous avalanche.  

    (2/19/2024)

    Telescope path went to ground around Feb. 9th 

    Photo: Troy Marino

Avalanche Discussion

Stability tests and observations show that the snowpack has become increasingly stable and that, overall, the avalanche hazard has decreased.  However, even after two weeks since our last significant snowfall, we are not yet at low danger levels in all aspects and elevations.   A persistent slab avalanche could still be triggered on slopes where both basal facets and weak layers remain a problem.  This problem might be dormant, but rising temperatures, additional loading, and/or the weight of a skier or rider could resurrect it.  We are still facing a low probability but high consequence scenario.

In a few sampled locations, the temperature profile and crystal type, (rounding facets and rounds), suggest that this problem is starting to heal.  However, it may take a couple more weeks of warmer weather and possibly more snow before it completely abates.  For recent observations, click here.  

Avalanches from our last large storm cycle are still being reported to learn more about the size and type of these avalanches, click here. 

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