Avalanche Forecast

Winter is still in full effect at and above treeline. Winter riding conditions come with winter avalanche problems and now you need to be your own avalanche forecaster.  Here are a few things to think about:Until we get into the melt/freeze cycle, most of the avalanche problems are relegated to the upper portion of the snowpack.  Storm slab, wind slabs and cornices remain primary concerns.There is plenty of snow available for transport up high which has been exposed to significant amounts of wind.  You may find wind slabs further down the slope than you expect this late in the season.Storm snow falling on crusts often produces a poor bond, at least initially.The long days and strong late April sun affect snow surprising quickly.  It’s probably a good idea to steer clear of features where dry snow is receiving direct sun, especially for the first time.Lots of quick pits can help you put together the overall pattern of the zone that you’re recreating in.  If its been awhile since you were in the snow, start small and gain confidence in the snowpack before you get too ambitious.

As we transition into spring the surface layers have a great deal of influence on the snowpack. When there is a solid re-frozen surface crust, travel is fast and easy, and the snowpack is held together by the surface cap. Any deeper persistent weak layers are unlikely to fail until the surface cap breaks down from daytime heating. When there is no crust, any deeper weak layers may fail depending on the amount of heat and the triggering force that is applied. If it cools off and snows, new snow and windslabs may not bond well to the hard spring crusts.