Avalanche danger rated as 'considerable'

Avalanche risk remains considerable above 4,500 feet this weekend as temperatures rise and freezing levels climb to 7,000 feet.

The Glacier Country Avalanche Center’s advisory issued on Friday warns backcountry users to be cautious during periods of thaw and rising freezing levels, especially on south facing aspects on or below steep and open slopes. Breaking cornices could also trigger slides.

Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered slides are likely, the center warns.

A party backcountry skiing March 7 on Divide Mountain near the St. Mary and Babb area of Glacier Park reported triggering a slide on an eastern aspect at about 6,800 feet. The group set off the slide from flat ground below the crown. A member in the party recalled the incident in a report compiled by the avalanche center:

“We were standing on the flat ground, a big whomph ensued and I immediately saw a large propagation across the crest of the ridge. This was followed by a loud crack as the crown was establishing. Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time, as we were literally standing right underneath a slope that was currently sliding. A small group of burnt lodgepoles were the only "break" in between us and the avalanche. Immediately we began scurrying directly away from the slide, and luckily it stopped just shy of our skin track.”

No one was injured in the slide.

Avalanche center official Ted Steiner reported Friday seeing a major hard-slab slide on the northeast aspect of Cameahwait Mountain near Essex. The slide ran into Essex Creek.

The center warns backcountry users not to linger beneath cornices  or travel on steep and open terrain during the warm period.

By Sunday a cooler wet pattern with new snow is predicted. There is potential for wind loading on easterly aspects.

Visit www.glacieravalanche.org for updated warnings and observations.