- Craig Gordon of the Utah Avalanche Center warns of dangerous avalanche conditions.
- Recent avalanches in Utah killed three and injured three others in five incidents.
- Gordon urges caution, advises checking forecasts and using proper gear in backcountry.
SALT LAKE CITY — Amid a tragic week in Utah's mountains — three people died and three others were injured in five avalanches in Salt Lake and Wasatch counties — a forecaster got a bird's-eye view of conditions as he cautioned skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers to take a "step back" in the backcountry.
Avalanche forecaster Craig Gordon with the Utah Avalanche Center reviewed video captured by KSL's Chopper 5 on Monday, showing several backcountry areas in Big and Little Cottonwood canyons and in Wasatch County, where the latest deadly avalanche claimed the life of a snow bike rider.
"Right now, it's a time when we've got to take a couple steps back and really tone down our enthusiasm and really temper our objectives," Gordon said after looking at the footage. "This is the real deal."
Gordon observed avalanche conditions on some slopes, which he said were surprising given their locations.
"What's particularly unusual about our setup right now is that terrain that's treed and mid-elevation and is protected by the elements, by the wind, by the sun — that's actually where some of our most dangerous snowpack structure is," Gordon said.
Gordon remarked about the aerial view of Sunday's deadly avalanche in the Snake Creek area west of Midway.
"This terrain where the latest, tragic avalanche accident occurred — all this low-angle terrain would have been a blast to ride in," Gordon said. "What we've got to remember is that it's connected to steeper slopes just above us."
Gordon said the slope fit the profile of the terrain that had forecasters "very concerned."
"It doesn't look steep and radical, but this terrain is harboring weak snow from the big January dry spell, and we see this other part of the slope — this is what we call the windward side," Gordon explained. "So, winds have been blowing over that ridge. They've been forming these big cornices, but they've also been laying down a very uniform and cohesive slab across that slope. We can be down here playing around, we kick the legs out from underneath the slope, and now the entire roof is crashing down on top of us. That's what makes this setup so dangerous."
KSL captured numerous new ski, snowboard and snowmobile tracks across the backcountry Monday — even as avalanche danger in the region was rated as "considerable."
However, Gordon said it appeared the skiers and snowmobilers KSL spotted in action were in areas he generally considered safer.
"There is plenty of low-angle terrain to get out and have a blast," Gordon said. "These guys are doing it right; they're having a blast, still getting into the great powder that we received last week. They're also doing it safely."
Gordon noted that avalanche activity on a particular slope could be a clue about additional avalanches.
"The biggest clue to avalanches is avalanches," Gordon said. "If you're triggering a small avalanche like this, we can rest assured big brother is waiting on the same slope that faces the same way. It's the same aspect, it's the same slope angle, and we can see here one avalanche that was triggered earlier in the day Saturday and then a bigger, meatier, beefier avalanche right here that's breaking wide, it's breaking deep — this thing could definitely ruin your day."
The long-time avalanche forecaster urged people eager to visit the backcountry to take a step back amid the unpredictable conditions.
"We've all been snow starved here this winter, and I know we want to get out and get after it," Gordon said. "This is very unusual for us to see these types of avalanche conditions this deep into the winter, but what we've got to do is go to the mountain on its terms and right now it's telling us to pump the brakes, have some patience."
As always, Gordon said anyone headed to the backcountry should travel with the proper gear, including probes, shovels and beacons.
He said those people should also familiarize themselves with the latest forecasts at utahavalanchecenter.org.
"We want everyone to go out and enjoy this amazing snow," Gordon said. "The most important thing is you come back at the end of the day to your family so we can do this day in and day out."
