San Francisco Peaks / Kachina Peaks Wilderness

The avalanche hazard is low. There is a slight chance of small wet loose avalanches in isolated pockets of warm, steep south-facing terrain below treeline. These avalanches will not be large enough to bury an individual but could cause an unexpected fall. Deep slushy snow and roller balls are signs that these avalanches are possible. 

Expect hard, refrozen snow and wind-toughened snow on most aspects above and near treeline. Crampons, an ice axe, or a whippet ski pole will be helpful. 

Last night, elevations above ~9,500' dipped below freezing, and surfaces across the mountain will be frozen this morning. Winds and lower temperatures will limit corn snow harvesting today. But sunny wind-protected slopes below 10,500' may provide soft corn snow. The weather will likely keep wet loose avalanche activity in check today, but roller balls and deep slushy snow (over your boot top) indicate that it is time to move off steep, warm slopes. 

Yesterday's lower-velocity winds and warm weather softened the snow on most aspects and up to 11,300' on luminous northerly slopes. Above treeline conditions in Abineau Canyon were generally firm with wind-packed, wind-eroded, and wind-sculpted snow surfaces. In the distance, some sastrugi was observed on northerly slopes, but its hardness (or softness) was unknown. There were a few small and unreactive wind boards. KPAC saw no evidence of recent loose wet releases above and near treeline in Abineau Canyon. Below treeline, we noted some old wet roller balls on E-NE slopes, from the big warmup last Wednesday/Thursday. 

KPAC noted that the snowpack has just about melted below 9,000' on northerly slopes. Yesterday the snowpack felt vernal and isothermic up to nearly 10,300' in northerly terrain. Above that, it had more of a colder, mid-March feel. Yesterday in Abineau Canyon, little to no powder snow was available for transport, and no blowing snow was observed. Nonetheless, if entering complex/extreme terrain above treeline, look for small mounds of wind-drifted snow (from the Friday wind event). These avalanches would be small to very small and located in very isolated pockets.  

In general, the mountain is holding snow very well for mid-April. Snow depths on south-facing slopes are averaging between 110 and 130cm. On ridgelines and south and west-facing slopes, exposed rocks act as thermal sources, and melting spreads around these features. Efficient travel will not last much longer with these trends. Soon, be prepared to skin over rock and gravel or transition in and out of your equipment. Numerous lines remain from the Humphrey's Trail saddle into the ski area. This is a rarity for this time of year and makes for convenient skiing conditions. 

If you are headed out early, ski and splitboard crampons are recommended. Until the slopes begin to melt, they are icy, and any slip could result in a significant fall—time tours appropriately if you are unprepared for hard conditions. 

Finally, although most of the mountain has entered a melt-freeze cycle, continue to practice appropriate backcountry travel. Ski one at a time, avoid stopping in run-out zones, and keep eyes on one another. Don't let the springtime conditions lull you into a state of complacency.

Recent snowpits can be found at https://snowpilot.org/snowpits/query?field_loaction_tid=4.

Recent observations can be found here.