Eastern Sierra - Wed May 5 2010
Eastern Sierra avalanche advisory |
General avalanche and snow conditions updates will be issued until May 15.
| There is almost no data arriving from the field so avalanche danger ratings will not be issued. Expect significant variability in conditions through the region and from one day to the next due to changing weather. |
Cool temperatures and windy conditions have reduced the wet snow avalanche danger. Last weekend’s winds transported dry snow and snow banners drifted snow onto southeast and east facing ridgelines. One observer in the Piute Pass area watched a D2 slide come down a steep southeast facing slope. A thousand feet below the ridgetops, wet snow slides ran long distances and debris piled up in terrain traps 5-6 feet deep.
Colder temperatures and winds have locked up the snowpack on solar aspects, and the risk of wet slides for the next two days will be minimal in higher terrain. There might be some wind transport and with winds coming from the north, pay attention to the entrances to steep gullies. Any drifts will be easy to trigger on steep slopes, so avoid any steep slopes with recent wind deposits, which will look smooth and rounded and feel slabby or sound hollow. Watch for pockety cross loading around sub ridges, mid slope breakovers and gully walls.
Our cool unsettled spring continues for another week. After temperatures cooled off yesterday and windy conditions kept the snow surface frozen until mid day at higher elevations, another shot of cold air moves into to keep temperatures below normal for today and Thursday. Winds will be gusty as the cold front moves into the area with winds in exposed higher terrain gusting over 60 mph.
The 8,000 to 9,500 ft elevations will see daytime temperatures in the 40 to 50 F range today with northwest winds gusting to 40-50 mph range. Higher elevations will reach the mid to upper 30’s today. Night time lows will be 20-25F.
Please note that the avalanche danger rating in this advisory expires in 24 hours. This advisory is our best interpretation of snow pack conditions and NWS forecasts issued today. Backcountry travelers should be aware that elevation and geographic distinctions are approximate and that a transition zone exists between upper and lower elevations. Avalanches do not happen by accident and most human involvement is a matter of choice not chance. Most avalanche accidents are caused by slab avalanches that are triggered by the victim of member of the victim's party. Even small slides can be dangerous. Always practice route finding skills and carry avalanche rescue gear. Remember that avalanche danger ratings are only general guidelines. Distinctions between geographic areas, elevations, slope aspects and slope angles should be made.
ESAC is operating on a limited budget and is supported by its members and the community. Please help support the Center by becoming a member today. Visit the Support area for more information.
