Bollettino valanghe

San Francisco Peaks / Kachina Peaks Wilderness

Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Mon
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto last year. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Wind and snow transport continued throughout the night.  A person could still trigger a wind slab avalanche with a crown thickness of 6 to 18 inches in steep terrain, one large enough to carry or bury an individual.   Avoid areas of drifted, mounded, or wind deposited snow, especially those at the top of steep gullies and paths, and watch for signs of instability such as cracking.

The new snow has settled and become more supportive, but rocks and logs are buried just beneath the snow surface; move cautiously through any terrain that had exposed obstacles before this week's snow. 

Thank you to everyone who attended the Mikee Linville Scholarship Fundraiser on the Agassiz Deck!  We appreciate your support, and your contributions helped make the event a great success!!  

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2

    Yesterday and overnight, north winds continued to redistribute snow across the San Francisco Peaks, adding to slabs already developed on the mountain.  Some areas were stripped of snow, while other locations served as catchment or deposition zones.  These catchment and deposition locations may have reactive slabs today, which could result in a D1 - D2 avalanche.  Winds continued to generally be out of the North and Northeast, but conditions were blustery, meaning that wind slabs might be present in unexpected locations.  Look for these instabilities at the top and mid-way across gullies and avalanche paths, and near exposed ridgelines.

    An observation from yesterday reported an ECTP1 20 cms from the top in 4 Finger wind slab laying on top of Fist hard new snow.  This wind slab was highly sensitive and the result was reproduced.  If slabs today are of similar sensitivity, it would be very possible for an avalanche to quickly release by the weight of an individual.

    In sunny areas, some slabs could soften making them more reactive as the day progresses.  Watch for obvious signs of instability such as shooting cracks or shearing.  Move away from these areas onto less steep and more simple terrain.

    Layers of graupel from Friday may be present in some wind drifts.  If buried by a slab of snow, this graupel layer could be a failure point and make wind slabs easier to trigger. 

    Continue to be cautious with terrain choices today and avoid areas of wind deposited snow, especially above terrain features that could complicate an otherwise small avalanche, such as cliffs, gullies, steep terrain, and trees.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–1.5

    As the sun returns wet loose avalanches could be possible on steep solar aspects, especially around 10,000 ft., where temperatures are expected to rise to 40 degrees F.  These sunny slopes could soften quickly and a skier or rider could trigger a small wet loose avalanche.  Be careful of this possibility where terrain could complicate a fall, and look for signs of instability such as slushy, wet surface snow, and roller balls.  

Avalanche Discussion

Don't be misled by the sunny skies and more moderate winds today.  Continue to be on the lookout for areas of slab instability built by wind over the last 36 to 48 hours.   

Wind slabs may have hardened overnight with winds averaging 30 mph and gusting as high as the mid-40s.  Wind slabs on the Peaks are typically most reactive with a two step difference in hardness.  Yesterday's observation of 4F slab over F, was just one hardness difference away from this set-up.  The overnight winds may have hardened some slabs and this two step difference might be present today.  Continue to look for signs of instability early in your tour and ski jump or kick on small steep test slabs with inconsequential terrain below.  This will help provide an idea of the reactivity of more consequential slabs.  And remember that conditions can change quickly, based on aspect and elevation.  Don't assume that stability in one location, especially lower on the mountain, means that terrain above or on a different aspect is stable.   As temperatures warm this may soften some slabs and make them more reactive.  Be aware of this change as the day progresses and temperatures rise.

The graupel observed on Friday could also make wind slabs more reactive.  The distribution of this layer isn't quite known, but it was observed on both the west and east sides of the mountain.

Yesterday there were no reports of slab avalanches, but the winds and varied weather may have limited the number of skiers and riders in the backcountry.  Slabs will be most reactive in steep terrain and can exist on potentially all aspects.  Be sure you know how to identify this hazard and are able to avoid it.  For more information, check out the observations page.  A huge thanks to those who have sent in observations during this storm cycle.

Remember to use smart travel protocols.  Use adequate spacing, ski or ride one at a time, and keep eyes on those moving through avalanche terrain.

Access and egress will continue to be problematic.  Rocks and logs were an issue in many locations before the storm and may be hiding underneath the recent snow.  Skinning conditions are improved, but when returning to lower elevations partially and fully buried obstacles will be a hazard. 

Thanks again to everyone who attended the Mikee Linville scholarship fundraiser!  Your generosity helps make avalanche education more accessible to dozens of individuals!

If you get out, please submit your observations or email us at [email protected].  

KPAC has documented evidence of several avalanches this season - Avalanche Database.  

Regioni coperte