mtdream
TY 4 Stroke Master
As we all get our sleds together, and excited for the season, keep in mind that the conditions over the next 6. Weeks really dictate how dangerous certain slopes will be all year...
For instance, we have gotten some good snow falls, but then the warming started...which melted a lot, but north facing slopes mostly held their snow...the problem....that snow has turned to sugar snow all the way to the base....meaning these areas are going to let loose, and when they do, they will be base slides (as in slide all the snow, all the way to the ground....
Here is a pic of a slide from Friday...and we have gotten another foot+ of snow since then....
http://www.mtavalanche.com/images/11/wi ... test-slope
Here is how the snow pack is set up right now....
http://www.mtavalanche.com/images/11/sp ... n-snowpack
Let's hope we get lots, and this threat goes away!!!
For instance, we have gotten some good snow falls, but then the warming started...which melted a lot, but north facing slopes mostly held their snow...the problem....that snow has turned to sugar snow all the way to the base....meaning these areas are going to let loose, and when they do, they will be base slides (as in slide all the snow, all the way to the ground....
Here is a pic of a slide from Friday...and we have gotten another foot+ of snow since then....
http://www.mtavalanche.com/images/11/wi ... test-slope
Here is how the snow pack is set up right now....
http://www.mtavalanche.com/images/11/sp ... n-snowpack
Let's hope we get lots, and this threat goes away!!!
Mtnviper
TY 4 Stroke Master
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Good information mtdream 
The early dumpings are nice, but can cause issues for latter in the season as it sets the foundation (or lack of) for the whole season).
In our area we are getting heavy snow fall in the moutains right now
But what can and often happens is we'll get a dreaded "pineapple express" come through in early December, which melts it down:-( Then it gets cold again and refreezes the snow into a hard frozen layer. The hard frozen layer then becomes a slick surface, which dosen't allow future snow falls to stick to very well. This increases the risk of slab slides for the rest of the season.
The early dumpings are nice, but can cause issues for latter in the season as it sets the foundation (or lack of) for the whole season).
In our area we are getting heavy snow fall in the moutains right now
But what can and often happens is we'll get a dreaded "pineapple express" come through in early December, which melts it down:-( Then it gets cold again and refreezes the snow into a hard frozen layer. The hard frozen layer then becomes a slick surface, which dosen't allow future snow falls to stick to very well. This increases the risk of slab slides for the rest of the season.
BordnBill
Expert
Good thread Mtdream. Let's not forget to replace our batteries in all our electronic safety gear as the season is upon us.
