Serious Avalanche Accidents are likely in the backcountry as we ring in the New Year
12-31-2021 Salt Lake City: Avalanche forecasters from the Utah Avalanche Center are very concerned that serious avalanche accidents will occur in the backcountry even as we celebrate the New Year. Storms in the last days of 2021 deposited a few feet of fresh powder on mountain slopes, and hurricane-force winds drifted the snow into stout slabs deposited on slopes plagued by a weak layer of sugary faceted snow near the ground.
Recently in the mountains of Utah, large, destructive, and unsurvivable avalanches, several feet deep, have failed on this now deeply buried persistent weak layer. Several close calls occurred in the backcountry, and some avalanches are releasing in a surprising fashion. Over the Holidays, deadly and tragic avalanche accidents occurred in neighboring states. Including Idaho, Colorado, Montana, and Washington. With a sunny weekend on tap, we anticipate an uptick in backcountry activity and the potential for backcountry travelers to inadvertently trigger one of these large, dangerous, and potentially unsurvivable avalanches. The consequences are severe because avalanches are breaking to the ground, taking out the entire season’s snowpack!
● Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making are essential for safe backcountry travel.
● Avalanches could be triggered remotely from a distance, from an adjacent slope, or even from below.
● Avoid travel in avalanche terrain facing the north half of the compass. In addition, steer clear of and stay out from under wind-drifted slopes steeper than 30 degrees.
Fortunately, you can find excellent riding and much safer conditions on lower-angled slopes, and in sunny, sheltered terrain. Before heading into the backcountry check the avalanche forecast at utahavalanchecenter.org
● Check that everyone in your group wears and knows how to use an avalanche
transceiver, shovel, and probe.
● Steer clear of steep, wind drifted terrain, especially mid and upper elevation slopes facing the north half of the compass.
● Pay attention to changing conditions. Intense snowfall and drifting snow could cause the avalanche danger to rapidly rise.
● Learn to recognize and avoid avalanche-prone terrain.
Please refer any media inquiries to the Utah Avalanche Center, Forecaster on duty at 801-524-5304
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