San Francisco Peaks / Kachina Peaks Wilderness

Skiers and riders will be unlikely to trigger an avalanche today.  The exception may be on steep north facing terrain where pockets of isolated windslab or dry loose avalanches could be present.  These small avalanches may turn large by stepping down and triggering a persistent slab avalanche deeper in the snowpack.  Use caution and avoid drifted or pillowed snow in the starting zones of steep rock-lined chutes and gullies, and watch for the continued possibility of dry and wet loose avalanches in the surface of the snowpack.

As is often the case, conditions across the Peaks are variable.  While avalanches are unlikely, they are not impossible.  Wet loose and dry loose avalanches are the most likely problems backcountry travelers will encounter, and looking at the winds, there is also a remote possibility of isolated wind slabs on the leeward side of ridgelines. Given the small size of these avalanches, the danger rating remains low.  Backcountry travelers should also be aware that the persistent slab issue, while mostly gone, could still produce small to large avalanches, especially if a loose avalanche or wind slab were to step down deeper into the snowpack. If this were to occur, this type of avalanche would be much more dangerous as it might release with a crown height of several feet.  This could easily result in a large enough avalanche to cause a full burial.  The probability of this type of avalanche is very low, but north facing steep chutes and paths are the most probable locations.  

Yesterday a dry loose was released in the Humphrey's cirque that ran several hundred feet.  This is a potential problem today, as are wet loose avalanches on insular south facing slopes.  Skiers and riders should watch for signs of these avalanches today, as the new snow from last week is still being impacted by the pre-storm surface conditions.  This may also play a factor in the remote chance of wind slabs on the leeward side of ridgelines, as winds last night gusted high enough to produce isolated areas of wind drifted and accumulated snow. Winds are expected to increase today and this afternoon these wind slabs may build again. Any avalanches of these types will be small but can knock a skier or rider off their feet and over or into consequential terrain.

As a note of future interest, but probably not a current issue, is that a layer of facets has been found beneath north, east, and west facing surface crusts.  This weak layer has been slightly reactive in stability tests, and Thursday's snow failed to load it significantly, but it could be a layer of concern if we were to receive significant precipitation come next week.

As mentioned, before the most recent storms of Thursday and Friday, a myriad of wind and sun crusts were present on small and large scales across the mountain.  Nearly every surface across the inner basin was affected.  The most recent storm delivered a layer of relatively moderate-density snow, measured at 10% density, on the mountain's west side.  At the Snowslide Canyon SNOTEL, a mere .3" of SWE was recorded.  This did little to load the underlying weak layer of basal facets.  As time continues and if our spring-like conditions persist as expected, this problem may be dropped from the forecast.

Conditions in the backcountry have improved from earlier in the week.  The underlying pre-storm surface conditions are a factor in finding the best turns, and could make for tricky skinning conditions, but reports thus far suggest that there are some good turns available. Ski and ride with care and watch for the remote possibility of small avalanches or funky conditions carrying a skier or rider over steep or rocky terrain.  Ski and split board crampons could be helpful for egress out of steep terrain.

Come join Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center on Saturday, April 6th, at the Agassiz Lodge deck for the Mikee Linville Fundraiser!  All proceeds from this event go to our scholarship fund, which, to date, has resulted in over 29K of scholarship benefits!  For more information on how to get involved, visit kachinapeaks.org.  Much thanks to everyone who made our avalanche courses a success this season and a big thank you to all our participants!