Avalanche forecast

San Francisco Peaks / Kachina Peaks Wilderness

Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You could trigger an avalanche on wind-loaded leeward slopes or terrain features. 

Numerous avalanches were reported yesterday, most of them small in size. Two were wind slabs on Rustler Peak. One was a natural, likely occurring on 3/15.  It was 15' wide and about 12" thick running down the east face (see photo below). The other was large and human triggered (on 3/16) from a skin track on the ridge. Crown was 150' wide and 6-24" thick, running 700' to the bottom on Humphreys Cirque (see photos below).  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Winds yesterday (3/16) were light out of the SW and forecast for SW in the morning switching to NW in the afternoon. Backcountry travelers should carefully assess wind-loaded leeward slopes and terrain features. 

    (3/16/2023)

    Human tirggered from the ridge in skin mode, crown 150' wide (to first rock)  6"-24" thick, running 700' to the bottom on the cirque. 

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