Avalanche Danger
Anyone who has glanced up at Deer Mountain in recent weeks likely is aware that, while spring finally started to bloom in Ketchikan, avalanche danger remains in full force.
The curved cornice along Deer Mountain’s ridgeline is dramatic, and even without binoculars, we can see slide paths running down the slope.
While that’s our most visible mountain, other alpine areas retain deep layers of snow, too, and are potentially deadly to those who venture onto them.
Some of those steep, snowy recreation areas include Deer Mountain, of course, the road to Upper Silvas Lake, and the Brown and Dude mountains area.
Snow-sport enthusiasts probably are happy with the deep snowpack remaining, but those of us who like to venture into higher elevations should take care.
We should consider terrain (a steep area is riskier than a gentle slope, for example), the weather (recent rain or a sudden temperature shift increases danger), and the snowpack itself (digging a hole can help us learn how stable the layers are).
No matter how careful or experienced we are, though, it’s still possible to get caught in a slide. That’s where careful preparation comes into play.
As fun as it is to play in the snow, we shouldn’t head into snowy alpine alone, and we should always bring the proper equipment (shovels, beacons, probes).
And, one of the best ways to avoid disaster, we always should be willing to turn back rather than take an unnecessary risk.