Good afternoon. This is Sue Burak with the Eastern Sierra Avalanche
   Center with a backcountry avalanche warning posted on Sunday February
   24, 2008. 
   advisory.

   A SPECIAL AVALANCHE ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE EASTERN SIERRA
   FROM SONORA PASS SOUTH TO MT WHITNEY. AS STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY
   SNOWFALL CONTINUE TODAY, THE AVALANCHE DANGER IS HIGH ON ALL SLOPES AND
   ASPECTS ABOVE 7,000 FT.

   MOUNTAIN WEATHER
   Moderate to heavy snow will continue to fall above 8,000 ft until late
   this afternoon. Snow showers will continue through most the evening and
   taper off by Monday morning. Another 10-14 inches of new snow are
   expected above 9,000 ft. with 5-9 inches expected in the Lee Vining and
   Crowley Lake areas. This may not verify as temperatures at the 7,000 ft
   elevation are above 32 F today.

   The winter storm warning continues through 10 PM tonight for both Mono
   and Inyo counties. Snow showers will gradually clear out by Monday
   afternoon at the higher elevations.

   Southwest winds will continue to be strong all through today and most
   of the night. Ridgetop gusts in the 50-70 mph range are expected. Winds
   are expected to shift to the west later today with no let up in speed.

   SNOWPACK AND AVALANCHE DISCUSSION

   Precipitation rates, the amount of water added to the snowpack, have
   eased this morning. Last night water was being added to the snowpack at
   high rates of 0.2-0.4 inches an hour. It takes 0.1 inch per hour to get
   avalanches to release. Despite this high rate of loading and 14% snow
   sitting on top of 7-8% snow from Friday, the June Mountain ski patrol
   reported very few avalanches released with their morning control work.
   The race between adding more stress to the snow with continued snow and
   wind and the stabilizing effects of time and bonding will have varied
   outcomes depending on slope angle, elevation, location, wind loading
   anbased on the more loading adding stress and the

   Basic snowpack structure right now is a multi layered affair with the
   most recent 2 feet of wind compacted, high density snow sitting on top
   of a foot or more of low density snow from Thursday night and Friday.
   Add several graupel layers from the most recent storm to this mix and
   put in the oven on top of suncrusts and wind board and you get a
   precarious balancing act between stress and strength.

   Since precipitation and wind continue to add stress to the pack, the
   avalanche danger rating remains HIGH. Natural and human triggered
   avalanches are likely. Unstable wind slabs exist on a variety of
   aspects and slope angles. Travel in avalanche terrain is not
   recommended.

   BOTTOM LINE
   Since precipitation and wind continue to add stress to the pack, the
   avalanche danger rating remains HIGH. Natural and human triggered
   avalanches are likely. Unstable wind slabs exist on a variety of
   aspects and slope angles. Travel in avalanche terrain is not
   recommended.

   Please note that the avalanche danger rating in this advisory expires
   in 24 hours. This advisory is our best interpretation of snow pack
   conditions and NWS forecasts issued today. Backcountry travelers should
   be aware that elevation and geographic distinctions are approximate and
   that a transition zone exists between upper and lower elevations.

   Avalanches do not happen by accident and most human involvement is a
   matter of choice not chance. Most avalanche accidents are caused by
   slab avalanches that are triggered by the victim of member of the
   victim's party. Even small slides can be dangerous. Always practice
   route finding skills and carry avalanche rescue gear. Remember that
   avalanche danger ratings are only general guidelines. Distinctions
   between geographic areas, elevations, slope aspects and slope angles
   should be made.