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Forecast for the Skyline Area Mountains

Brett Kobernik
Issued by Brett Kobernik on
Thursday morning, January 25, 2018

The avalanche danger is MODERATE in the upper elevation northwest through east facing steep slopes. Human triggered avalanches are possible and they may be triggered from a distance. Continue to avoid the steep slopes on the north half of the compass especially above about 9500'. Collapsing of the snowpack (loud "whoomping" underneath you) and shooting cracks are signs of avalanche danger.

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Special Announcements

Be sure to join us at Big Pine Sports TONIGHT, January 25th for a free avalanche presentation. We'll talk current conditions and how this year is shaping up to be more dangerous than last year and how we need to change our habits. DETAILS HERE

We are offering a Motorized Backcountry 101 avalanche class on February 10th. DETAILS HERE

Recent Avalanches

There were a couple of snowmobile triggered avalanches on Wednesday. They were all triggered from a distance. One was in Pete's Hole out of Ephraim Canyon. Two more were in Nioche Creek in the Gooseberry area of Fish Lake National Forest. All of these broke into the weak faceted snow near the ground. They obviously demonstrate that the snowpack is unstable.

In Pete's Hole, the riders had played around near the hill before coming to a stop near it. One of the rider's noticed the collapse and said "Did you hear that? We just triggered something".

Photo below, Pete's Hole: Pickle

In Nioche Creek, two riders noticed a natural avalanche in the distance that they were going to ride near to look at. As they stopped they watched two adjacent slopes avalanche simultaneously. With the current weak snowpack structure, there is no doubt that they triggered the avalanches.

Photo below, Nioche Creek: Kreig Rassmussen

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Additional Information

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We will publish full detailed advisories Saturday and Sunday mornings by 7am. We will also be publishing basic avalanche danger ratings & info during the week.

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