Avy danger 'considerable'

SANDPOINT — The avalanche hazard rating in the Selkirk and Cabinet mountains is rated as “considerable,” according to the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.

The rating applies to all aspects with slopes steeper than 35 degrees above 5,000 feet. Under the considerable rating, natural avalanches are possible and human-triggered avalanches are likely.

The hazard as rated as “moderate” on slopes less than 35 degrees and below 5,000 feet.

Avalanche forecasters ventured Thursday to Lunch Peak and noted that westerly winds were starting to increase and some wind deposition was starting to build on lee aspects. On a northeast aspect — the wind-loaded side — above 6,000 feet forecasters discovered weak layers in the 16 inches of new snow since last week.

Buried surface hoar was present on the contact of new snow at 16 inches deep and the more recent weak layers are in changing-density snow.

“With the snow loading expected from additional snow tonight and Saturday this will stress these layers to the point of possibly triggering natural avalanches,” Kevin Davis of the U.S. Forest Service said in Friday’s avalanche advisory.

The windward side (west) had a firmer surface slab that failed with just a few taps on the column and since it is firmer due to wind, it propagates a crack easier, Davis added.

“We stayed off steep westerly slopes yesterday and you should stay off for the rest of the weekend,” said Davis.

For more information about avalanches, go online to www.idahopanhandleavalanche.org