Friday, November 7, 2008

Snow paints high peaks white

High country travelers cautioned

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By JASON KAUFFMAN
Express Staff Writer

Snow levels have already created avalanche concerns in the Boulder Mountains northeast of Ketchum. Photo by David N. Seelig

As moisture arrives back into the region today, snow levels in the Ketchum area are expected to drop from 8,200 feet to 5,900 feet some time this afternoon.

According to the National Weather Service, the chance of precipitation is expected to be 20 percent today, and should increase to a 70 percent chance by Saturday night.

New snowfall would add to a decent snow cover already blanketing area mountains.

Researchers measured about 10 inches of snow was measured at Galena Summit Thursday morning.

Elsewhere around the state, there was about 6 inches of snow at the Bogus Basin north of Boise and 12 inches at the summit of Brundage Mountain ski resort near McCall.

In an avalanche advisory released earlier this week by the Sawtooth National Avalanche Center in Ketchum, avalanche forecasters said backcountry travelers should expect to find consistent snow cover above 8,500 feet, with over a foot of snow and deeper, wind-blown drifts above 9,000 feet, said Janet Kellam, director of the avalanche center.

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"Hunters and early-winter climbers should stay heads-up for avalanche conditions while crossing steep slopes or entering steep gullies," she said.

For local avalanche advisories, go to www.sawtoothavalanche.com.