Bollettino valanghe

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Wed
Alta quota
1 · Debole
Limite del bosco
1 · Debole
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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In sintesi

Generally safe avalanche conditions can be expected across the Selkirk and Cabinet mountains.  Solar aspects, which heat up first are the most likely place to encounter snow conditions that would result in wet loose avalanches.  You can avoid these areas by paying attention to the compass and observing the texture of the snow surface. It's best to steer around  saturated or "punchy" snow in steep terrain.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Loose Wet

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

    You may encounter a "crusty" surface in the morning which will soften as the day goes on.  Slopes facing the sun heat up first, and are the most susceptible to "wet loose" avalanches. Pinwheels, rolling snow or a saturated snow surface are all indicators of "wet loose" potential. "Wet loose" avalanches may start small, but can grow large as they move down slope and encompass more snow. The best way to manage the "wet loose" problem is to be aware of the snow surface and manage your aspect accordingly. Generally, if the sun is out, the danger goes up throughout the day.

    • If you plan on traveling in complex, exposed terrain, do it earlier in the day before the warm up has saturated the snow surface. Timing is everything!
    • Keep an eye out for glide cracks opening up and cornice fall.
    • Be aware of overhead hazard. Even though you're on a cold shady road, the slope above you may be in the sun and capable of avalanching on to the road. 

    (3/20/2023)

    Cabinet mountains, Quartz creek headwaters

    South face, 6100 ft

     

    Photo: J. Thompson

Avalanche Discussion

Our current snowpack is in a generally stable state with avalanche concerns being small and easy to manage. The sun will continue to be the main driver of avalanche problems through Wednesday as it warms up and creates the potential for small, point release avalanches in steep terrain. With cold nights present, the upper snowpack will refreeze and lock together. This will result in firm and stable conditions each morning on aspects exposed to direct sun. By afternoon you may see the surface of the snowpack become soft and slushy. This will be your clue that it is time to avoid steep terrain or relocate to more shaded aspects.

Speaking of spring, there are a few things worth paying attention to as it warms up each day. Cornice fall and glide crack avalanches will start to enter into the realm of potential problems as it warms up each day. I am starting to see a few cracks and broken cornices in the East Cabinets. These issues are unpredictable, but easy to manage if you keep an eye on the slopes above you. Just avoid being underneath them as it warms up during the day. Managing hazards in the mountains during the spring boils down to avoiding being on or below steep slopes that are getting cooked by the sun in the afternoon hours.

Our last avalanche advisory will be posted April 1st.

Regioni coperte