Avalanche forecast

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The warmer temperatures and sunshine have put the snowpack into a transition period. Upper elevations (4-6500’) still have remnants of a winter snowpack but are turning quickly into a consolidated springtime pack. It won’t be long until our midwinter problem layers are a thing of the past. Lower elevations (>4000’), the snowpack has fully turned into a Springtime snowpack. Icy roads, mud and tricky access is coming as the snow level starts to creep up in elevation.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet avalanches are the biggest concern with the snowpack right now. This potential danger can be managed by keeping an eye on weather conditions. As the sun and air temperature warms up the snow surface, the danger will increase. In the mornings when the snow surface is frozen the avalanche danger is minimal. Once the surface starts to melt each day and the frozen supportive snow starts to melt, the danger increases quickly. Springtime decision making should rely heavily on the time of day and the aspect. East and South facing slopes warm up first. Have extra caution on the really sunny days.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    It's still worth mentioning the deep problem layers in the snowpack. If the snowpack is frozen, like it is in the mornings, the danger of triggering a deep layer is minimal. If the snowpack is soft and slushy on the surface, there is a possibility of triggering a deeper avalanche on one of the old buried layers.  The best way to aviod triggering one of these avalanches is to avoid warm slopes in direct sunshine. 

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday, Gary Quinn and I went up Lost Creek out of Priest Lake into the Selkirks. We were able to take the sleds up to 5,900' and then ran out of visibility. We then were able to skin up the rest of the way to the ridge. We ended up digging a pit in the upper reaches of Soldier Creek, near Lost Peak. I was supprised that there was only 120 cm's of snow where we dug. We found a very faceted snowpack with many thin crust layers sandwiched in the top 1/3 of the pack. There was also a thick (5-6'') supportable crust near the surface that made travel pretty easy. Test results were inconclusive.  Epic powder day it was not...but it was nice to be able to travel easily over any terrain. 

Remember to submit snow and trip observations on the website. We love seeing what you find on your adventures!   idahopanhandleavalanche.org 

Thanks to POLARIS and TIMBERSLED for your support!!

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