The National Weather Service in Burlington has issued an avalanche warning for the Adirondacks as a result of recent weather patterns.
“Recent heavy snowfall combined with previous warm ups have created the potential for avalanches in the exposed backcountry of the Green Mountains in Vermont and the Adirondacks in northern New York,” according to National Weather Service statement. “Several small avalanches have already been reported.”
The High Peaks region has received one to two feet this past week.
The weather service warned that “steep, open slopes will have the highest potential avalanche risk.”
The Adirondack Explorer thanks its advertising partners. Become one of them.
State Department of Environmental Conservation spokesman Dave Winchell was unavailable to comment on the avalanche danger in the Adirondacks Wednesday, but he said DEC would be addressing the issue with a statement on Thursday.
In Vermont, there have been multiple avalanches reported this week. WCAX reported that six soldiers training for the Army Mountain Warefare School were injured in an avalanche Wednesday in Easy Gully near Smugglers Notch.
Vermont skier Aaron Rice reported on Facebook that a group he was skiing with triggered a one- to two-foot slab that ran for 1,300 feet in Smugglers Notch. He did report no one was hurt in his group.
Avalanches in the High Peaks are considered rare, but skiers and climbers have triggered them in places such as the Trap Dike, Angel Slides and other steep slopes over the years.
The Adirondack Explorer thanks its advertising partners. Become one of them.
(This story was edited to clarify Aaron Rice’s statement on Facebook and update the snow totals.)
Keep up with news of the Park. Subscribe to the Adirondack Explorer today:https://goo.gl/PeuX5X
measured 18 inches of snow at keene libary today 3/15/18