Avalanches in San Gorgonio?

[simonov]

According to the weather people, San Gorgonio will be getting a little snow this week.

Does anyone have any insight into what this could mean for avalanche danger next weekend? Is there not going to be enough new snow to worry about?

Looking at going up for an overnight this weekend similar to what hvydrt did last week:

[He219]

Does anyone have any insight into what this could mean for avalanche danger next weekend? Is there not going to be enough new snow to worry about?

Mitch, that's entirely relative to actual snowfall and the composition of existing snow-pack layers on the slope you plan to access.

The only way to really know is to dig a test pit, isolate a column and do a compression test.

[hvydrt]

Your best bet is to stay on the same ridge I did. The wind usually strips most of the snow off of it. I wouldn't dig a test pit unless you have been trained in it. It may give you a false sense of security. I would just avoid the chutes. Did you see this thread on the San G Forum: http://members.boardhost.com/sgva/msg/1266859760.html

[Tim]

Your best bet is to stay on the same ridge I did. The wind usually strips most of the snow off of it. I wouldn't dig a test pit unless you have been trained in it. It may give you a false sense of security. I would just avoid the chutes. Did you see this thread on the San G Forum: http://members.boardhost.com/sgva/msg/1266859760.html

I have avy training and I still don't really understand how to interpret a test pit! Even with experience you can misinterpret a pit because snow structure and stability can vary greatly across any given slope. I agree with hvydrt about staying on ridges. The windward side is also generally safer than the leeward side. Some parts of the SF trail are also in avy runout zones.

[Taco]

What they said.

I'd avoid it for a while, unless you intend to board/ski it, then take the NW ridge or other ridge up, pit, goooo! 8)

[simonov]

I heard Kathy Wing has postponed her trip this weekend because of avalanche fears. That's good enough for me.

I've done the reading, and understand that pit-reading is not always a precise science. Then there's the concern that while the pit looks good, you might still walk over an area that is unstable. My preferred practice is simply to avoid avalanche areas when the conditions are unfavorable.

As they might be this weekend.

I'll be in Icehouse Canyon, instead, taking pictures of waterfalls.

[He219]

Your best bet is to stay on the same ridge I did. The wind usually strips most of the snow off of it. I wouldn't dig a test pit unless you have been trained in it. It may give you a false sense of security. I would just avoid the chutes.

That after traversing some of the largest avalanche debris paths in the area from South Fork clear up to said ridgeline.

You're really going in blind if even basic examination of layers in the snowpack is avoided for lack of being a 'specialist'.

My preferred practice is simply to avoid avalanche areas when the conditions are unfavorable.

Sound advise. Beware of the backcountry after a heavy snowfall.

When you enter the BC you take certain risks. You learn what you can and apply due dilligence especially in avi prone areas.
It would be a good idea to learn the basics of an avi test pit and how use a transponder, probe and shovel as a group.

That is all.

[whatmeworry]

Building an understanding of avalanches is much more than digging pits.

It is a combination of field and "classroom" training and LOTS of time in the field applying assessment skills in the real world (doing so as safely as possible, of course).

Many factors impact stability (e.g., weather during and after storm cycles, slope angle, aspect, terrain features, etc.). Stability tests done in conjunction with a pit are a subset of analytical tools and skills you need to be able to apply to improve safety and assess risk. Relying on one or two stability tests may result in a false sense of security.

Recognizing (and avoiding) avie terrain is a BIG part of building your skills in this area. The large "obvious" slide paths are rarely the problem - it is the seemingly innocuous terrain that is the real killer.

Take a Level 1 AIARE equiv. course. Get out with some friends and do some field work - build your knowledge base.

For fun go to:http://www.avalanche.org/ and take the online Avalanche Safety Tutorial.

There is lots of good material out there for reading as well (see below for a couple of interesting articles around decision making and heuristic traps).

http://www.snowpit.com/articles/training.pdf
http://www.snowpit.com/articles/traps%20reprint.pdf
http://www.avalanche.org/~moonstone/iss ... cation.htm

Relatively speaking, our southern California snowpack tends to be pretty stable - particulary 24-48 hours after a big dump.

Remember YMMV and reading something on the 'net isn't a substitute for experience!!!

If in doubt, go home and come back another day. The mountains should still be there.....

[EManBevHills]

Hey, there, whatmeworry,

Thanks for reminding us about this site:

http://www.avalanche.org/

Definitely worthy of a review, (IMNSHO). At least it was for me.