After such a powder-filled December, what will the New Year bring? Time will tell of course, but so far we’ve seen less stormy weather and a stable snowpack. Conditions have allowed us to explore steeper alpine terrain that we often don’t get to until much later in the season. Recent warm temps have left breakable crusts in many locations, but we’re continuing to find cold, dry, stable snow on high elevation north slopes.
January is also the month when our avalanche education programs launch into full swing – we’ve already taught a Level 1 and Level 1 Refresher up at the hut, and this weekend we will be teaching no fewer than three Level 1’s! We find it exciting that more and more people are seeking avalanche education, and hope it leads to safer backcountry experiences for all!
Speaking of avalanche education, folks in the Boise area looking to learn about avalanches or refocus the avalanche eyeballs, SMG Co-Owner Chris Lundy will be giving a free avalanche awareness talk at REI tomorrow night at 7pm. And we still have a few spots left in our January 30 – February 1 AIARE Level 1 Course.
Be sure to check out the photo gallery below and 3-D panorama from the top of Big Fatty. Happy New Year and hope your winter is off to a great start!
