DANGEROUS unstable slabs formed by westerly winds exist at the mid and upper elevations. These slabs could be triggered by the weight of a single person to depths of six feet. Several close calls have occured in the local backcountry during the previous two days with potentially fatal results. Expert route finding skills and conservative terrain decisions are essential.
Dense surface slabs one to five feet in depth lie upon slick old snow surfaces. These dangerous slabs could be triggered by a single skier or snowboarder on a variety of aspects and are likely to be easily triggered by larger loads such as snowmobiles. The consequences of being caught in a large slide could be fatal. On steep northerly aspects above 9,000 feet these slabs could step down to the ground.
Deep instability persist on northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. In this terrain very dangerous hard slabs lie upon a basal layer of weak faceted snow and could be triggered by the weight of a single person, a snowmobile or by the release of a wind slab avalanche. These dangerous slabs will step down to the ground and could have crown depths to six feet.
Thursday looks to be mostly clear with continued cold temperatures. At upper elevations morning temperatures near twenty below zero are possible.The general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Considerable above 7000 feet. Although some strengthening of the snowpack has occurred it will still be possible for backcountry travelers to trigger dangerous slab avalanches with depths to five feet.
