[chumley]

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Gerry Blair (928) 226-5089 Date: January 22, 2010
______________________________________________
Kachina Peaks Wilderness Area Closure
Flagstaff. AZ- The Northern Arizona Emergency Operation Center is announcing the closure of the Kachina Peaks Wilderness Area on the San Francisco Peaks due to extreme avalanche danger caused by recent excessive snowfall. In the interest of public safety the Coconino National Forest has issued a temporary Forest Order closing the Kachina Peaks Wilderness area to any and all entry. This order supersedes all Kachina Peaks Winter Backcountry permits already issued this season. This means that any backcountry skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing from Snowbowl is prohibited until further notice, and violators are subject to criminal penalty.

This closure is based on recent storm activity and field observations of natural avalanche activity and snow instability. This week’s snowfall is on pace to be the greatest in over 30 years. Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue personnel have conducted two search and rescue operations in hazardous weather conditions this week. Search and Rescue must make risk assessment decisions and will take into account rescuer safety before deploying personnel into the field. This Forest Order will be cancelled as soon as conditions permit at which time Back Country permits will be valid again.

Its not entirely clear to me if you may access the area from somewhere other than Snowbowl, but I don't think so. If you're planning on going, I suggest you call to verify.

[fotogirl53]

Given the wet snow that fell yesterday on top of the powder from Tuesday and Wednesday, and then the new powder today, all the slopes in the high country are prime for avalanche--not just on the peaks. Be safe out there, everyone.

[Jim_H]

The BS Nazi party FS closure has been lifted by our benevolent protector: Coconino National Forest Forest Supervisor JOSEPH STRINGER
Big Brother Joe can be contacted the the Forest HQ @ 928-527-3600

http://azdailysun.com/news/local/articl ... 002e0.html

The temporary closure order of the Kachina Peaks Wilderness has been lifted.

According to information from the U.S. Forest Service, the closure was made because of severe weather and extreme avalanche danger.

Although the closure is rescinded, avalanche danger remains. Backcountry travelers are responsible for their own safety and should be cautious while in the backcountry. While Arizona Snowbowl conducts avalance mitigation work on the ski resort, Forest Service officials do not conduct avalanche mitigation on the mountains.

Backcountry travelers must get a free backcountry permit, which includes access to parking at Forest Road 522 and Lamar Haines Wildlife Area.

For more information on avalanche potential, visit the Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center at http://www.kachinapeaks.org.

BTW, the avalanche threat was greatly exaggerated. AZ Snowbowl was reportedly un-able to trigger a slide in their terrain. But, this closure wasn't really about safety or avalanches. If you actually believe that it was, well...good luck.

[chumley]

So will you be posting photos of your ascent tomorrow? I can't wait to see them!

I'm gonna be up there skiing on Thursday ('cause i think the 8 feet of new snow has been skied off by now and I want to wait for a fresh 8-inches to fall on top of it first)

[Jim_H]

Because of school I can't get up there until Friday, which I plan to do. The Peaks looked great on the drive back from Kingman today. The thick snow above treeline really captures the eye as you come over those hills on 40.