Eastside Region

LOW Avalanche Danger continues.  Variable and firm conditions remain the greatest hazards in the backcountry. Be observant for rockfall due to daytime warming and monitor for isolated pockets of unstable snow.

Another mild and rather benign day is slated for Thursday with some positive signs for new snow tonight and into the start of the weekend. Until then, a good overnight freeze and cloudy skies should keep significant solar warming in check and avalanches unlikely. Continued vigilance especially for rockfall and areas of shallow unsupportable snow should be focus points of travel today. Most snow on solar aspects is either gone or baked down and consolidated at this point, but it still remains good practice to check for supportability by taking your ski off and checking for increased boot penetration as well as watching out for rollerballs and pinwheels.

The full gamut of ski mountaineering equipment is a “must have” to safely and efficiently travel on a very firm and wind sculpted snowpack in the Eastern Sierra. Ski and Boot Crampons, Ice Axe, and a helmet are key.