Heads Up… Dangerous Avalanche Conditions Exist This Weekend

[avyhunter]

Heads Up… Dangerous Avalanche Conditions Exist This Weekend

Hey Everyone,
The good news is… the snowpack has settled quite a bit, it’s gaining strength, and it’ll feel bomber under our sleds this weekend. The bad news is… the sugary garbage that’s near the ground continues to haunt us. Just two days ago a large, sled triggered slide broke to the ground on the northeast side of Elizabeth Pass in the Uinta’s and today several big avalanches were triggered on the Manti- Skyline. Saturday will be sunny and I know we’re itchin’ to get after it, but the snowpack might not share our sentiments. These are exactly the kind of conditions where we ride 99 slopes and we’re good to go, but the 100th one we trigger a slide that breaks to the ground.
Please be careful this weekend and arm yourselves with updated avalanche information. Remember- we issue three sled specific avy advisories for Logan, the Western Uinta’s, and the Manti-Skyline. Check your local avalanche advisory at www.utahavalanchecenter.org.
Cheers.

 

[skibreeze]

Here in Colorado it is the same. Rotten snow underneath will continue to haunt us here for a long time. We all need to be vigilant and watch each other out there.

 

[JohnnyH]

Be smart out there, its not going to get any better....

From KSL.com:

BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON -- The death of one male in an avalanche has been confirmed by local officials.

Three men were skiing on Kessler Ridge, an area that drops into Mineral Fork Canyon in Big Cottonwood Canyon. As they reached the peak of the ridge around 11:30 a.m., the avalanche started, burying one 25-year-old male.

The other two skiers, whose conditions were reported as "fine," had not been caught in the avalanche and began to search for their friend afterward. One male in the party immediately called dispatch to alert them of the situation. By the time rescuers arrived at the scene, the two skiers had already found the man deceased.

The three had reportedly started at Alta Ski Resort and had gotten off the trail and headed to Kessler Peak, prepared for back country skiing.

"They had beacons and were prepared for the back country, but the backcountry conditions right now are just extremely dangerous," said Lt. Justin Hoyal of the Unified Police.

The Utah Avalanche Center reminded people to check avalanche conditions before heading out to back country, and that when dangers are high, to never venture beyond professionally groomed slopes.

The cause of the avalanche at this point is still unknown.


http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=19040802&title=one-person-killed-in-avalanche

 

[TGitt]

I saw a lot of tracks on north east facing slopes today. I couldn't believe people are riding on these slopes when I don't even dare get close to them! I even saw a track that someone had sidehilled across an open hill right to the crown of a 5-6' deep
pretty good sized slide. Not smart...