Posted on 02/14/2025 5:53:54 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
For a growing number of people who ski and snowboard out of bounds and in the backcountry, the daily avalanche forecasts written by the Sierra Avalanche Center provide crucial, life-saving information about the stability of the snowpack and the risk of avalanches in Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.
But the Sierra Avalanche Center announced this week that due to ongoing staff cuts by the federal government, it may have no choice but to cut back on the number of forecasts it issues. The center currently works with three forecasters who are employed by the U.S. Forest Service. They cover a 200-square-mile region that stretches from Sierraville to Bear Valley, including Donner Pass, Truckee and the entire Lake Tahoe Basin.
The news comes in the middle of a critical time for backcountry skiers in the Lake Tahoe region. During a storm that pushed through the area this week, the center issued a warning for high avalanche danger on Thursday. The unstable snowpack will also be an issue for the crowds descending on Tahoe during the holiday weekend.
A gap in avalanche forecasting would cause problems not only for backcountry skiers and snowboarders but also for the long term. Every day, avalanche forecasters trek out into the mountains to collect data on what’s happening beneath the surface of the snow. Missing a few days a week of that data collection will impede the center’s ability to monitor the snowpack for the risk of avalanches.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
How many people does that require? Maybe two, three?
President Trump has already said that those activities which are for the protection of people and are REAL will keep their funding. But there is a lot of stuff hidden in all of these projects that is for graft.
I can imagine that a good deal of common sense among tourists would be also help regarding avalanches and avoiding them.
“For a growing number of people who ski and snowboard out of bounds and in the backcountry...”
Play stupid games...
Yawn.. more yellow journalism, just ignore.
Why should federal money pay for a local service?
Shouldn’t those back-country skiers be on the hook to pay for a service on which they rely?
Having a little adventure isn’t a stupid game.
Maybe a little risky...but one can’t live life hidden...we all take chances just different kinds.
BUT they should not be able to SUE or BLAME anyone if something happens
Local Matter...No need for Feds to be involved.
Why don’t the ski slopes and different ski resorts fund this themselves?
This is an outright lie of course.
Sounds like a local issue to me.
Well, this is a small number who should be aware that they are taking a personal risk, like climbing Mt. Everest.
Could also be hugh and series.
Looks to me like forecasting avalanches is a State responsibility.
” Their website says in past government shutdowns, avalanche forecasters were categorized as essential public safety employees and exempt from furloughs due to the critical nature of their work.
“As far as when the cut could take place, Reichel, says, “We don’t really know.” The information they received implied terminations could occur as early as Monday, Feb. 10, but that date has already come and gone with no subsequent news.”
So it’s basically fear-mongering with no basis in reality or precedent.
Why should federal money pay for a local service?
Shouldn’t those back-country skiers be on the hook to pay for a service on which they rely?
*****
The Tahoe area is visited by skiers from the entire nation in winter, not just local skiers.
While I am not a backcountry skier, I am acquainted with many.
Many have been to avalanche school. Most are very good at reading terrain.
Those that are not, should use a backcountry ski guide.
I never climb in the backcountry in the winter or spring without a guide.
You have know you limits and how much risk you are willing to accept.
One simply searches for the "center" and learns "This website is owned and maintained by the non-profit arm of the Sierra Avalanche Center. Some of the content is updated by the USDA avalanche forecasters including the forecasts and some observational data. The USDA is not responsible for any advertising, fund-raising events/information."
Takeaways" 1) The "center" is a web site, not associated with the USDA forecasters. 2) The "center" is "owned" by a non-profit entity. 3) Form 990 shows that the "center" and website pay themselves most of what they take in -- Total functional expenses -- line 25 -- $ 462,036.
Source: Sierra Avalanche Center Form 990 -- 2022
And the mail address for the "center" is a non-USPS box in the Office BOSS Truckee Mail Center in Truckee, California. So those doing this work are all part time -- rather like hobbyists, when one looks at Form 990, line VII, 1. And yet the site and its activities cost %+$ 462,036.
They can find their income from other sources, if their "sponsors" on the site are what they say they are. And skiers can go direct to Forest Service - U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.