Field reports: Snowfall spells ominous spring

Experts are warning that record snowfall in the North Cascades this season has built up the potential for huge spring avalanches with the power to cause extensive damage to mountain hillsides, roads and bridges.

Nearly 10 feet of winter snow has accumulated already in parts of the Cascades, including near Stevens Pass. If a massive slab of snow were to break off – and conditions are in place for this type of avalanche to occur – it could ravage the landscape, destroying timber stands, homes, roads and whatever else is in the avalanche’s path.

Nine people already have died this winter in Washington avalanches.

The unstable layers developed in early December when rain fell on top of heavy snow, said Paul Baugher, director of the Northwest Avalanche Institute and the ski patrol at Crystal Mountain.

Rapidly warming temperatures or a warm, tropical rainstorm could load the snowpack, and those deep layers could suddenly cause serious problems, he said.

Bellingham Herald

ENVIRONMENT

Talk on China factor

Want to understand factors that will influence the fuel costs for future outdoor trips, the decline of wildlife, the impacts on fishing and much more?

Get a glimpse of the future in “China: Environment and Climate Change,” a program by UC Berkeley Prof. Orville Schell, director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations.

The free program is set for Tuesday, 7 p.m., in the Lair-Student Center Auditorium as part of the Spokane Community College President’s Speakers Series.

Rich Landers

NORDIC SKIING

I-90 Sno-Parks maxing out

Shannon Goodwin has some words of advice for Seattle-area cross-country ski enthusiasts attracted by all of those great groomed trails that take off from an array of Sno-Parks along the Interstate 90 corridor on both sides of Snoqualmie Pass:

Look elsewhere.

It’s not that Snoqualmie areas are bad. They’re very good, and as a member of the state’s Winter Recreation Advisory Committee, Goodwin is one of the people responsible for ensuring the continued quality of those non-motorized trails.

But Goodwin is encouraging skiers to try other less-used areas. The ones off White Pass and Chinook Pass get hardly any use, she said.

Meantime, the I-90 areas have become too popular – and, thus, populous – for anyone looking for the kind of serenity that backcountry skiing can offer.

And there’s nothing more frustrating than driving an hour to get to a Sno-Park and finding every parking space taken, which is becoming a routine weekend occurrence.

The advisory committee is exploring the Snoqualmie-area Sno-Park crowding issue.

Yakima Herald-Republic

BOATING

Safety classes set in Idaho

Enrolling in a safe-boating class could save your life and save money on your boating insurance.

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation says some insurers have discounts for boaters who pass a U.S. Coast Guard approved safety courses, such as the free classes being offered Feb. 23 and March 15 at the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation North Region Headquarters, 2885 Kathleen Ave., in Coeur d’Alene.

Preregister, (208) 769-1511 or e-mail kjackson@idpr.idaho.gov.

The course also is available online for a $15 fee at www.boat-ed.com/id.

Rich Landers