Experts Say Avalanche Danger High

Experts are predicting numerous avalanches this winter based on unstable snowpack from Wyoming through Washington.

Wyoming has already had several, resulting in three deaths since Dec. 1.

Rod Newcomb, director of the American Avalanche Institute, attributed the problem to an icy layer near the bottom of the snowpack topped by a layer of depth hoar - weak, crystallized snow - and more snow above that.

A similar situation has been reported by avalanche forecasters in North Idaho and in the Kettle Range of Washington near Sherman Pass.

Early snow followed by cold and dry weather created the icy layer, which was buried by recent snowfall.

The probability of avalanche is increasing as more snow accumulates on slopes with this weak layer, said Keith Wakefield, recreation ranger for the Colville National Forest.

Newcomb noted that “We’ve had fairly stable years, and the skiers have gotten away with quite a bit. People who have been here for 40 years knew this would happen.”

Bob Comey, avalanche forecaster for Bridger-Teton National Forest, agreed the unstable layers are cause for concern.

Comey said most people are killed when the hazard is moderate.

Newcomb said he believes the danger is unlikely to lessen so long as the icy layer and depth hoar remain.

Kayaker dies on Nisqually River

An experienced Washington kayaker died last month during a surge of water released specially for kayaker’s thrills from a dam on the Nisqually River.

Chris Ringsven, who lived in Snoqualmie, Wash., and taught school in Cle Elum, died during one of Tacoma Power’s two annual releases of water from LaGrande Dam. Pierce County sheriff’s deputies recovered the body from the river.

To meet requirements of a license for the dam, the municipally owned utility releases water to provide a Class 4 whitewater kayaking opportunity. Class 5 is considered the most difficult.

Kayakers use ropes to lower themselves down a 200-foot canyon to the water, then ride the torrent for a brief but wild run.

“Just getting in (to the canyon) is treacherous,” said Sue Veseth, a Tacoma Power spokeswoman.

“We’ve had grave reservations about doing this from a public safety standpoint.”

Because of the danger, those who register for the run must be experienced kayakers at least 18 years old and must sign releases absolving the utility of responsibility if anything goes wrong.

Tag auction oversight suggested

Idaho Fish and Game officials agreed with recent recommendations that the agency improve oversight of its bighorn sheep hunting tag auction and lottery programs.

The lucrative annual fund-raisers are administered under contract with the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep. But in a report issued Monday, the legislative Office of Performance Evaluations said Fish and Game had not been reviewing the programs’ administrative costs as required by law.

Evaluators found that although the bighorn sheep tag auction and lottery programs have generated almost $850,000 for wild sheep management since 1988, Fish and Game had not taken the steps required to ensure it receives its full share of the proceeds.

In three of nine years, the report said, the contractor got to keep more than its documented expenses.

Moose permits proposed

With more than 80 moose in the Wood River Valley near Ketchum, Idaho, the state Department of Fish and Game says there are more than enough to offer two hunting permits during the fall season.

The department is taking comments on the proposal, even though the idea of killing some of the moose will please some of the area’s growing number of affluent residents and disturb others.

Moose were reintroduced in wild lands around Ketchum in the 1970s and 1980s. The DFG considered releasing them to the Wood River Valley, but did not because of the inevitable social impacts.

By comparison, the Big Lost River Valley area, east of the Wood River Valley, offers six bull moose permits annually. Populations there are between 300 and 400 animals.

The biggest issue in the Wood River Valley could be the proximity of moose to homes. Because moose prefer valleys and wetlands, hunters could end up closer to populated areas than elk and deer hunters go.