Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center Avalanche Advisory Contact: Kevin Davis (208) 265-6686, Ed Odegaard (208) 245-6209, or John Olson (208) 265-6635 This is John “Oly” Olson with the Idaho Panhandle avalanche advisory, valid for today, March 12th, 2010. This report does not apply to local ski areas within the forecast region and will remain in effect through midnight, March 12th. Thanks to Bill Williamson and the Schweitzer Ski Patrol for their input and continued support. This advisory is sponsored by Idaho Parks and Recreation. WEATHER Winter has returned to our area and with a vengeance. Looking at the Snotel sites around the region it looks like Schweitzer Saddle picked up nearly an inch of snow water equivalent (SWE). The Schweitzer ski report is showing 6-10” of new snow this morning at 5 AM, snowing heavily with high winds on the ridges. Lookout Pass and Lost Lake in the Clearwater are only showing about 2-3 tenths of SWE. Snotel sites many times have the ground snow depth malfunction and SWE is an easy way to see how much weight the snowpack is taking on. A rule of thumb is that an inch of SWE is equal to 12” of 12% snow. There is an avalanche warning for the Cascades. Many of the concerns stated in the warning at the National Weather Service Spokane site apply to our area for the forecast period into the end of the weekend. Avalanche conditions for the Selkirk are rated as on all slopes as MODERATE above 5500’. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Avalanche conditions are rated as LOW on slopes less than 35 degrees. Natural and human triggered avalanches are unlikely. Wind loaded lee slopes above 5500’, cornice areas and slopes above 30 deg. will have pockets of CONSIDERABLE. Natural avalanches are possible and human caused avalanches are probable. Snowpack Schweitzer Mountain and IPNF Avalanche Center hosted Doug Abromeit, Director of the US Forest Service National Avalanche Center yesterday. Kevin, Lance, Doug and I headed out to Blue Mountain area north of the resort just as the storm was blowing in from the south west. We found several layers of concern. There was a surface hoar layer on top of the new snow from Monday night with a melt crust and faceted now on a very hard bed surface about 2” below the surface. New snow of up to 10” or more on top of these combinations of weak layers could be very sensitive. Kevin proceeded on to Uleda Point to a northwest exposure and found a surface hoar layer about 12” down that was very reactive and produced a Rutsch block test of RB2 with a Quality 1 shear. He found another layer at about 7” with potential, also. Click here to view a photo of these layers. Folks, this is another area of concern after the heavy bridging starts to weaken. The weather is forecasted to warm up again starting on Sunday. I have talked to many snowmobilers that are having a hard time access their favorite areas due to no snow at lower elevations. This would be a good time to check out the local ski areas and some of the great deals they are offering. Please remember to observe all road closures with soft surfaces. A few mud drivers can cause very expensive repairs. Terrain Safe travel requires good route selection. Beware of wind loaded lee slopes, cornice areas and slopes over 35 deg. Across the forecast area there is still over 6 feet of snow above 6000’ generally. Below 4000’ on southern exposures there may not be any snow! When the weather warms dramatically or heavy rain falls on the pack there is the potential for greatly increased avalanche hazard. Avalanche conditions for the St. Regis Basin are rated as MODERATE on windloaded aspects greater than 35 degrees above 6000 feet. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Avalanche conditions are rated as LOW on slopes less than 35 degrees. Natural and human triggered avalanches are unlikely. Snowpack Carole and Dan venture into the St. Regis Basin yesterday to about 5300’. They found about two separate layers in about 5’ of snow that could be a cause for concern. They were able to produce a shear on a crust in faceted snow about 8” down and another at 18”. Overall, it sounds like the southern portion of our forecasting area is getting much less snow with this system. I would still beware of all the usual suspects, however. Lookout Pass Ski area snow report is showing only 1” of new snow this morning. Silver Mountain is showing 2” over night with 5” in the last 24 hours. They are also reporting gusty winds. Terrain Carole noted that there were snowmobilers high marking in the Basin with no problems. She also noted that may rock features are appearing from the warm weather last week. Beware of sour spots of faceted snow in these areas as the loading changes due to heating or rain accumulations. ST. JOE No report The next advisory will be issued on Friday, March 18th, 2010. Avalanche conditions change for better or worse continually. Backcountry travelers should be prepared to assess current conditions for themselves, plan their routes of travel accordingly, and never travel alone. Backcountry travelers can reduce their exposure to avalanche hazards by utilizing timbered trails and ridge routes and by avoiding open and exposed terrain with slope angles of 30 degrees or more. Backcountry travelers should carry the necessary avalanche rescue equipment such as a shovel, avalanche probe or probe ski poles, a rescue beacon and a well-equipped first aid kit. Have a safe and pleasant weekend. But don’t forget to have fun and be careful.