Avalanche
conditions in Logan Canyon are dangerous
By Claire
Hubbard
As the weather
in Logan warms up, the possibility of wet avalanches occurring in Logan Canyon
rises. Rapidly warming weather creates wet avalanches, putting recreationalists
in danger.
“When it becomes
really warm outside like it has been and will be for the next few days, the
snow becomes unstable and it can become dangerous,” said Toby Weed, a Logan
area avalanche specialist.
According to
Weed, wet avalanches are dangerous on slopes of 30 degrees or more. The average
hiking trail is approximately 30 degrees. Hazardous avalanche conditions
currently exist on a number of mountain slopes in the backcountry.
Natural
avalanches will become likely over the next couple days, especially in the
backcountry, said Weed. He predicts there will be many people up there this
weekend enjoying the pleasant weather.
“This is what I
call the intersection of the human factor and the natural factor of
avalanches,” said Weed. “It is never a problem if we have natural avalanches,
it’s only a problem if people are involved.”
Recreationalists
can do their part in wearing avalanche beacons. Avalanche beacons are a class of active radio beacon transceivers, which
operate at 457 kHz and are specialized for the purpose of finding people or
equipment buried under snow.
“I am sure to wear a beacon
every time I am hiking or snowmobiling in the backcountry,” said Jeff Hansen, a
seasonal Beaver Mountain ski patrol rookie. “The Outdoor Recreation Program at
Utah State rents beacons to students for a good price. It’s better to be safe
than sorry.”
Recreationalists are also
advised to look at the Utah Avalanche Report before they begin their activity. The Utah Avalanche Center reports
conditions on a daily basis during the high avalanche season. In the next few
weeks the condition report will become a weekend report as the danger drops
off.
“When it comes to avalanches,
never assume anything,” Weed said.
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