4-11-06, Andrew Nyman Mountain

(Glide cracks)

Some classic glide cracks opened up on the east face of Andrew Nyman Mountain, just north of the Idaho State-line in the Franklin Basin area of the Bear River Mountains.  Underneath the snow, the mountain face is just smooth, bare rock.  Melt-water lubricates the rock surface, and the warmth-softened snowpack gradually glides down slope.  Sometimes, the glide-rate will increase to the point of releasing as a full-depth, wet avalanche.

You should give glide cracks and big cornices lots of respect and space during the spring melt.  Glide avalanches can occur at any time of day or night when conditions are generally warm.

Spring is here, and the water is starting to come on down from the hills.  The local rivers and side-streams are starting to flow with spring runoff, and I've noticed the water-level in the Logan rising each day since last week.