Lawinenlagebericht

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

Known weaklayers in the upper snowpack, several generally small humans triggered avalanches, long shooting cracks, and more snow all point toward one thing: dangerous and tricky avalanche conditions. Most of the activity has occurred on wind loaded slopes, but as the snow gets deeper, all steep slopes are suspect. Dial it back, and look for low angle and low consquence terrain to enjoy the recent snow.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1–2

    The tally of generally small human triggered avalanches on Saturday keeps growing. While not all of these slides suggest they failed on older persistent snow grains, a few certainly do. These include widely propagating slides, long shooting cracks, and audible whumpfs. So far, most of the avalanche activity seems isolated to wind loaded slopes, but that may change as temperatures warm and more snow falls. This won’t be an easy problem to manage or nail down. Certain slopes might not slide, while others could trigger very easily. Avalanches that do release could break widely or even trigger remotely. Ultimately, all steep open terrain is in question, particularly above 4000 ft.

    You can use small slopes, hand pits, and snowpack tests to look for and assess these grains, but they can’t tell you any particular area is safe. The best thing you can do is keep it simple. 

    Winds were cranking at the Pass on Saturday and don’t appear to let up. Even if the persistent weak layers aren’t a problem, wind loaded slopes certainly are. Steer around firm pillow-like slabs.

    (2/21/2026)

    An unintentionally triggered, widely propagating avalanche from 2/21. N, 5500ft.  Its unconfirmed, but this slide may have failed on older persistent grains. 

    Photo: NWAC

Avalanche Discussion

These storms might not feel that abnormal, but the upper snowpack certainly is. Several known and well documented layers exist in the middle and upper elevations. While the snowpack is more complicated on shaded aspects, weak grains and avalanches have been reported even on south facing slopes. 

  • North Facing: A layer of buried surface hoar and/or near surface facets (2/13) can be found a few inches above the first prominent crust (2/7). Additional facets may exist just above this same stout layer. In general, the 2/7 was about 10-15 inches below the surface on Saturday. 
  • South Facing: The complex weak layers from shaded terrain were replaced by one solid crust. In some locations, sugar facets may sit just above this firm layer. 
  • Below 4000 ft: In lower elevation terrain, the snowpack is still thin, with numerous obstacles disrupting it. If you find a large smooth open area, be leery. These are the types of isolated spots where an avalanche could occur despite the thin snowpack. 

Even with all the fresh snow, the snowpack in the forest and at lower elevations is painfully thin. Often off trail travel is only possible on foot. Open creeks, random holes, and downed logs make many travel routes meandering or impossible. Give yourself extra time if you decide to take the vision quest off the well trodden trail.

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