Payette Avalanche Center

Conditions are generally safe where snowpack surfaces are frozen hard, and large avalanches are unlikely. As the day warms up, small loose snow avalanches could occur on very steep slopes. Continue to practice safe backcountry travel habits & give terrain near or under cornices a wide buffer.

Snow may still be wet, even with cooler conditions. Last evening boded well for a hard surface refreeze. However, many days of partly cloudy skies and warm temperatures generally keep wet, unsupportable snow from refreezing very well.
Wet-loose avalanches should still be on your radar. Warm temperatures and mixed precipitation may loosen up refrozen snow surfaces and make triggering small wet avalanches possible, especially at upper elevations. Rocky terrain, sheltered from the wind, will heat up quickly if the cloud cover breaks for extended periods. Move to lower-angle terrain or cooler northern aspects when the top few inches of snow become wet and slushy, or when rollerballs signal deteriorating stability. With the warm spring we have had so far, expect deteriorating snow conditions even on upper-elevation northerly slopes by midday.
Cornices. Nobody likes these. They can break in surprising ways, even on colder days. I find that the best practice in spring is to steer clear of being too near an edge or under one of these features.

The Friends of the Payette Avalanche Center (FPAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Payette Avalanche Center (PAC) in its mission to promote avalanche awareness, safety, and education in the backcountry. We aim to ensure that all users in the PAC forecast area have access to accurate and timely avalanche forecasts, resources for safe recreation, and impactful educational opportunities.

We are seeking a passionate and experienced individual to join and lead our Board of Directors as President/ Chair of the Board. As the leader of this board, you will work closely with the PAC USFS staff to help shape the future of avalanche safety and education and support the PAC by driving fundraising efforts and organizing engaging community events.

Qualifications: Passion for backcountry safety, avalanche awareness, and outdoor recreation. Experience in non-profit or business leadership, fundraising, or prior non-profit work is highly preferred.

Time Commitment:

● Approximately 20-30 hours per winter month, depending on events and initiatives. Less during the summer months.

● Attendance at monthly board meetings.

● Attendance at the majority of public outreach events

Benefits:

● Make a meaningful impact on avalanche safety and backcountry recreation.

● Connect with a passionate community of outdoor enthusiasts and professionals.

● Gain valuable experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising.

To apply, visit

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/163Vmt7rjWQ2Xuk9X0MFMtBM1IuAHcui7iAL4BpGq0MA/edit