The avalanche danger is generally LOW today. Avoid slopes where you see glide cracks as the weather warms up over the next few days.
Glide avalanches are somewhat of a concern this spring along the Manti Skyline. This is where the entire snowpack "glides" along the ground forming a "glide crack" in the snowpack. You can see the ground in these cracks. These glide cracks open up slowly during periods of warm weather. In many locations, these glide cracks have suddenly released as wet avalanches. Most of the glide cracks and glide avalanches that I've seen are on east facing slopes. It is quite random when these may release but often it is in the afternoon during the warmest part of the day.
The best way to manage this avalanche concern is to simply avoid any slopes where you see these glide cracks especially during periods of very warm weather.
The photos below show a glide crack opening up (left) and a glide crack that released as an avalanche (right).
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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