San Francisco Peaks / Kachina Peaks Wilderness

The avalanche hazard will increase as temperatures warm throughout the day.  A skier or rider could trigger a wind slab avalanche in steep locations or in a starting zone as slabs soften with the rising temperatures.  Roller balls and soft slushy snow are good indicators that the snow is warming and that it's time to move to a different slope. 

Bullet proof ice can still be found just under last week's storm snow on steep and wind blown slopes.  Use caution navigating the mountain, as this, and low snow obstacles continue to be a hazard.

In general, backcountry conditions are much improved after last week's storm.  Today's primary issue will be rising temperatures and the return to spring-like weather.  Yesterday, the snowpack remained cold despite the slightly warmer temperatures than the day before.  Today, it is expected that sun exposed slopes may start to warm and possibly soften slabs on the surface or within the snowpack.  In addition to these temperatures potentially softening wind slab from Thursday and Friday, there is a chance of wet loose avalanches today on steep south facing slopes.  These wet loose avalanches won't be large, but they could knock a skier or rider off their feet and send them over consequential terrain.

If wind slabs are new to you, learn how to identify wind loaded terrain.  Be on the lookout for loaded slopes, wind textured slopes, loaded starting zones and cross-loaded gullies.  If you see mounds of snow, rounded pillows of snow, or deeply loaded areas, move cautiously and don't be afraid to back off if any cracking is observed.  This wind slab will most likely be found in steep terrain today.  Be cautious above rocks or steep cliffs, as even a small pocket of wind slab could knock you off your feet and send you tumbling down steep slopes.   No wind slab avalanches were triggered yesterday, but multiple wind slab avalanches occurred naturally or were triggered by skiers and riders midway through and just after the storm cycle.  Finally, avoid unnecessary loading of wind loaded slopes.  Ski one at a time and keep eyes on each other.

About the Persistent Slab Hazard:  This storm's snow fell on a complex snowpack that included several potential persistent weak layers. A brief season rewind: a significant storm impacted the Peaks in late November, followed by a generally dry and warm December. This period produced basal facets, although warmer periods moderated facet development. This dry period was followed by two significant rain events over the Holidays, which have plagued the season with the dreadful Holiday Ice Layer (HIL).  Following the Holidays, we have had several smaller storms that have fallen on top of the HIL, but this snow was often redistributed, stripping windward upper-elevation aspects, leaving the ice crust exposed. In areas that have maintained this newer snow, subsequent dry conditions with strong day and night time temperature differentials created a layer of near-surface facets. These events have created a complex snowpack that contains two persistent weak-layer problems (e.g., near-surface facets and basal facets), each with its own distribution.  Triggering an avalanche of this type is becoming less likely due to the snowpack adjusting to the new load, but it remains possible in locations where this problem is present.

The most significant hazard in the backcountry remains the ice layer either exposed or hidden just below the surface of the snowpack.  The snowpack remains thin and variable after this storm cycle and in many locations high winds have ablated the new snow down to the Holiday Ice Lens.  This ice hasn't vanished and is still challenging to navigate on west facing wind scoured slopes and on some wind exposed east facing slopes.  In some instances it's difficult to distinguish the ice lens from the surface textured wind blown snow.  The ice lens, in combination with various low snowpack trip hazards, such as rocks and logs, is keeping travel more risky.  It continues to be wise to ski with caution and practice conservative decision making and general skepticism.  If you're entering an unknown snowpack take the time to fully evaluate slopes and surface conditions.  If you don't know the snowpack structure, consider digging a quick pit and doing a round of stability tests before committing to a specific plan.  Carrying some type of traction assistance, such as an ice axe, crampons or ski/board crampons is highly recommended.  Continue to be prepared for challenging travel conditions.

For more information on conditions check out the latest observations.  

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