We are very proud to introduce our new website for the 2018-19 winter season. This will provide an easier and cleaner way to view all of the snow and avalanche information that you've come to rely on. We are quite happy with how the new website performs on mobile devices as well. We think you'll find the desktop or laptop experience pleasant as well. We are still tying up some loose ends so bear with us.
The big holiday storm delivered equal amounts of white goodness across the range, dumping over two feet of much needed snow with about 2" of water. As high pressure gained strength, skies cleared out late Saturday night and remain clear this morning. Currently, temperatures are in the teens and low 20's with northwest winds blowing 10-20 mph along the high ridges. The ridge builds overhead today bringing dry weather, temperatures rising into the mid 30's, and light winds.
Above is 24 hour data from Trail Lake (9945')
Images above are prior to the big Thanksgiving storm, giving you a sense of the type of terrain where today's avalanche dragon lives. While the storm turned much of our landscape white, riding and turning options are still limited. Low angle, rock free grassy slopes, meadow skipping, or road rides are gonna be your best bet today.
Wanna avoid avalanche danger this today? Of course you do and it's easy. Simply steer clear of any mid or upper elevation slope that has pre-existing, early season snow.
Your exit strategy is to swing around to south facing terrain which has no old snow and you can ride without the worry of avalanches breaking to weak snow near the ground.
Michael J stomped around the south face of Hoyt Peak on Saturday and found lots of new storm snow resting on warm ground that was bare and brown prior to the thanksgiving storm... now that's the ticket!
Yesterday, backcountry riders continued to report widespread collapsing, loud booming whoomphs, and shooting cracks like in Michael J's image above... all signs of unstable snow.
