East Slopes Central

Lawinenprobleme

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Likely

  Größe

  1–2

  Avalanches will be the largest and most dangerous near and above treeline, in wind-exposed terrain, and near ridgelines. Look at snow surface texture and feel for stiff snow over weaker snow to identify wind slabs. Watch for cracking in the snow as a warning sign of the danger. In the southwest part of the zone, near Cle Elum, you may be able to trigger avalanches in new snow below treeline as well. Slabs will be growing throughout the day. Use extra caution in and around terrain traps, where any avalanche could have serious consequences. Use test slopes or snowpack tests to check how well these slabs are bonding. As always, avoid wind loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees if you find signs of instability such as shooting cracks. Wind slabs may rest over the most recent (12/21) crust at upper elevations.

  

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  2

  Persistent slab avalanches are still on our radar due to a new load of snow and a weak layer of sugary snow that sits atop an icy crust from back in early December. This structure is similar to that involved in past avalanche accidents in this area and continues to warrant respect. The consequences of triggering avalanches are serious as they could easily bury or kill you. These dangerous and surprising avalanches can catch even the most experienced backcountry travelers. The best way to stay safe is to avoid the type of terrain where you are most likely to trigger one. Keep your distance from slopes 35 degrees and steeper that are open enough and tall enough to produce large avalanches. Watch for obvious signs of instability like recent avalanches, whumphing collapses, or cracks shooting through the snow.

  Look for weak snow just above a thick melt-freeze crust roughly 1.5ft to 3ft below the surface, above 5,000ft. We suspect this is more problematic in the northern half of the zone and closer to the crest where the dry snow exists above these weak layers. The most dangerous slopes will be at the higher elevations, in steep unsupported and rocky terrain. Recent southwest winds may create stiff slabs in some of this terrain. As recently as the 27th observers performed snowpack tests that indicated propagation is still possible with this layer of concern. We found it to 3ft below the surface on an east aspect at 6,600ft in the Near Treeline band near Chickamin Ridge in the Chiwawa Drainage. These layers are not a concern where you find a stout crust near the surface, such as areas further south and at lower elevations.