Danger low for 1st avy report
By Tim Dudley, Jackson Hole, Wyo.
October 12, 2009
The Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center posted its first advisory of the season Saturday following a trio of storms that brought up to 3 feet of snow to the high peaks.
Though experts said the avalanche danger at all elevations for Saturday was low, the report said, “Isolated pockets of new soft slab up to 2 feet in depth pose a threat to hunters, climbers or skiers who venture into very steep avalanche starting zones with fresh deposits of wind-drifted snow.”
The total snow depth at the Raymer Study Plot at 9,300 feet was 17 inches, the avalanche center reported. Total snowfall there since Oct. 1 has been 28 inches.
Avalanche experts estimated snow depths were 15 to 22 inches at 10,000 feet and the latest storm that began Thursday had deposited 12 to 14 inches by Saturday morning.
During the winter, the avalanche center posts daily advisories for the Tetons area. Those daily reports will begin later this season. The avalanche center expects to report snowpack summaries weekly until then, along with periodic advisories.
While the danger was low, experts issued a reminder for skiers seeking early turns: “Small avalanches can injure or kill humans.”
For avalanche information, call 733-2664 or go to www.jhavalanche.org. To report an avalanche observation, call 739-2607 or e-mail avalanche@jacksonhole.com.