Flagstaff, Arizona -- The Coconino National Forest, in cooperation with the Arizona Snowbowl and the Coconino County Sheriffs Office, will be implementing a new backcountry permit system this ski season. Anyone wishing to access the Kachina Peaks Wilderness from the Arizona Snowbowl boundaries must obtain a free permit prior to entering the area. Each person entering the backcountry must have their own permit.
The permits, which are valid for the entire ski season, can be obtained starting on December 14, 1998 from the Peaks Ranger Station, 5075 N. Highway 89, and the Mormon Lake Ranger Station, 4373 S. Lake Mary Road in Flagstaff. Permits will also be available at the Arizona Snowbowl when the ski area opens. Persons obtaining a permit must show a picture ID and anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The purpose of the new permit system is to promote education and awareness of the hazards and responsibilities necessary for backcountry travel, not to restrict access. Without considerable knowledge and experience, backcountry travel can he extremely hazardous. Unknown routes, avalanche potential, and hypothermia are risks that must be evaluated before leaving the groomed and patrolled slopes of the Arizona Snowbowl. Every backcountry traveler will be accountable for search and rescue efforts should they become necessary. Violators of this permit system will be cited and fined.
For further information contact Peaks Ranger Station at (928) 526-0866 or the Mormon Lake Ranger Station at (928) 774-1147.
KACHINA PEAKS WILDERNESS ACCESS PERMIT
The following are terms and responsibilities of the Kachina Peaks Wilderness Permit System;
1) Each Individual is required to have a valid permit.
2) Permit holders are required to have this permit and a picture ID on their person while in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness.
3) Persons under 18 years of age will require a parent or legal guardian to be present for permit issuance.
4) Permit holders are required to register each time the wilderness is accessed through the ski area. Register boxes are located at the Hart Prairie Lodge and at the top of Chair #1 (Agassiz Lift).
5) Persons accessing the wilderness for a period longer than the ski area's daily operational period are required to leave a copy of this permit clearly visible in the windshield of their vehicle.
6) The permit bolder is responsible to be knowledgeable of the hazards associated with travel outside of the ski area.
Permit holders not following the terms and responsibilities will be in violation of the Code of Federal Regulations. The fine for the first offense is $100. Violations of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5000 for an individual, or $10,000 for a person other than an individual, or imprisonment for not more than 6-months, or both.
The following are some items that all individuals using the backcountry should be aware of
A) National Forest lands beyond the ski area permit boundary are not patrolled and hazards are not identified.
B) 13 essential equipment articles that each person should carry: matches, extra food, water, first aid, extra warm clothes/hat, map & compass, pocket knife, flashlight, rain gear/shelter, sunglasses/goggles, shovel, avalanche beacon, probe.
C) Knowledge to evaluate snow stability; past weather history, current weather - (accumulation, temperature, wind direction & velocity/duration), slope aspect, slope angles, and slope profile.
D) Knowledge of unstable snow conditions and their warning signs.
F) Knowledge of First Aid/CPR
F) Don't travel in the backcountry alone.
(I) Let someone know as to your specific travel plans and itinerary, and adhere to them.
H) Be willing to turn around and come back another day.
There are many areas on the San Francisco Peaks that are very susceptible to unstable snow conditions and avalanches are a regular occurrence, Some of these are directly adjacent and within the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Area boundary. The Forest Service recommends that individuals using the backcountry in winter are instructed by certified instructors in avalanche and snow stability recognition, evaluation, and rescue techniques prior to traveling outside of the ski area boundary.
