1/3 NWAC Avalanche Forecast

Thanks for the responses, guys, everything you are saying makes a lot of sense. The sentence I quoted struck me as odd for two reasons. First, from a hazard assessment standpoint it seemed like a strange idea to ski a slope in order to assess its stability. I see now, however, that my confusion might have resulted from a matter of diction - if it had read "slopes up to 40 degrees were ski cut without any adverse consequences" my reaction would have been quite different - or from my mistaking a simple observation for active assessment. Second, and I fear I may get myself into trouble here, from a reporting perspective it seemed like a potentially dangerous thing to report with exuberance something which may be taken to imply that 40 degree slopes are good to go. I know that we must take what we read in these avalanche reports with a grain or two of salt and that it is our responsibility to always assess situations and make decisions for ourselves, but I also worry that there may be people who don't.<br><br>I appreciate the point that Larry_R makes about not crying wolf, and I do not mean to say or imply that it is the responsibility of organizations such as the NWAC to always report danger as high. However I think it is important how the danger is reported whether it is high or low. Look, for instance, at the sentence preceding the one which I quoted:<br><br>"Backcountry field report Monday at Stevens at about 5000 feet showed no shears in the recent snow down to the crust buried about 3 feet."<br><br>It reports the same low danger but does so in a way that does not appear to promote the idea that any given slope is safe. <br><br>I appreciate jack's concern over contextual issues, and I would say that it is precisely because the statement seemed out of context in the report that it gave me pause. Perhaps if there were more information given it would not have struck me so: Randonee makes a great point about the impact aspect has on stability, neither that nor elevation were given for the slope discussed.<br><br>I do not mean to nitpick or to denigrate the NWAC in any way; I believe they provide a great and important service to this community. And I know that I am far from the most experienced person on this board. But I also know that when something seems awry it is never a good idea to say nothing, even if I wind up being wrong.<br><br>(Btw, what does FT stand for?)

So going more off topic: how exactly does one ski cut?  I have heard it talked about, read about it, and even tried what I think is a ski cut myself (but never got anything to slide.)  I'd love to hear from some experts exactly how to do one.

<br><br>For some expert advice, check out the article at www.couloirmag.com/articles/avy/tremper_series/part1.asp . Since I'm just another stumbling level one class graduate, I'd hesitate to try to pass any technique on myself, but Bruce Tremper is certainly a good teacher to learn from. I see from re-reading this that he calls what I describe above as "test slopes." Ski cuts, as he describes, are a good way to start in on a slope you're actually going to ski. From what I hear through the grapevine, Randonee is also a bit of an expert, and I like his description of whipping his tails around to generate as much pressure as possible during the cut.<br><br>tdave - "FT" = "full time"

Ski cut?<br><br>Well, find the proper aspect and start with something that will not hurt you. You can start on a road cut bank, for example. Ski, jump, and push on the line of tension of the slab- usually a convexity. Start high and carefully work down until you understand. If it looks threatening, I like to have a plan to ski across to safety before being entrained- always think of going from safety to safety. Cascade snow is often pretty strong, but I have seen times that a sensitive cold slab (dry) on facets pulls out above where the normal snow does (surprise). One can always use a rope belay. I bought a rando rope that is 1 1/2 lbs just to ski cut a couple of tricky spots on my favortie circuit when it is serious. If you decide to kick a cornice (always fun), a rope belay is a great idea. As a rookie I watched a cornice the size of a Chevy van break between my feet and I was not roped- that remains as one of the most frightening moments of my life.<br><br>You must use judgement. If there is a BIG potential, stay away- go home or go to a ski area or safe terrain. If only a few inches are going in the slab and no problem going with it, should be no problem. No test, ski cut or bomb test is necessarily conclusive, you must understand what is going on- you need to know what is down there and the complete history of that snowpack (study the NWAC telemetry to the last warming or other stabilizing cycle and information). I feel that you must always be prepared and pay attention even if you are certain of your hazard evaluation. <br><br>Most of my ski cuts now, for recreation, have no result- I stay home when I think it is dangerous or stay off of areas with potential. When I do get something moving, it is still thrilling. It is a great learning tool to see something break and slide. One could also get out in one of the Class A avalanche ski areas after avy control when it opens on a day with results and see what went, where it went, where it started, what are the lateral margins, bed surface, terrain characteristics, vegetation, aspect, etc. By the way, I try to get into my favorite tour avy slopes as soon as possible after a big avalanche cycle (usually after warmup or rain) and see what went and etc. I also measure the slope angles on my tours with an inclinometer (just the cheap Life-Link one) to better know what I am dealing with.<br><br>This afternoon I just skied 1040' vert falline 25 to 38 degree backcountry powder (!) (my profession gives some midweek days off). I was solo with my dog, as I often am (do not necessarily do what I do). On the climb up the slope, I was able to stay in safe areas on a sharp ridge. Often there was a margin on the windblown side where my skis scraped the rock or I poked the rock beneath the snow (nothing to avalanche there). I poked and did little digs on the way up to see what was there on various aspects, and did many test ski cuts (habit). About one hundred feet over from the 'rocks' was deep pow. When entering, I found the biggest pillow of snow on a steep roll above my ski slope. I jumped and cut on the pillow- nothing would go at all. The entire slope that I was skiing was less steep than the pillow/ face that I stomped and cut without even moving a chunk. I knew that to the left was thin and windblown and to the right deeper. I put the dog down on stay and joyfully skied- my descent route was one turn from several tree or knoll safety islands (I now wear my ABS pack, since I often engage in this crazy solo behavior). That slope was tight, and surprisingly well covered, so I will take my partner and/ or wife along tomorrow before the weather changes.

Thanks for all the good info!