Lawinenlagebericht

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 2 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

You can trigger 1-2 foot thick avalanches in pockets of wind drifted snow. Steer around stiff and textured pockets, especially if you notice cracks shooting out from your skis or feet. Slight warming may set the stage for small wet avalanches at middle and lower elevations. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs will continue to grow in size and distribution as new snow continues to trickle in. You may find these wind deposits to fail easily, especially in areas where they rest on the slick crust. 

    You'll find these wind slabs on the lee side of ridges and canyons, beneath cornices, and on the breakover of upper mountain convexities. Use visual clues like blowing snow and textured surfaces to help you identify potentially problematic slopes. You can use your ski pole to probe and feel for stiffer, deeper pockets of drifted snow. Pull back from these wind-drifted pockets if you notice shooting cracks or the new snow failing easily under your feet or skis. 

    Photo: Mt Hood Climbing Rangers

    Rangers found reactive wind slabs on Saturday morning on leeward slopes near Timberline. Default to more sheltered terrain if you notice signs like this.

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    Slight warming may produce a round of rollerballs and small wet loose sluffs, especially during short sunbreaks. You’ll likely find these signs in terrain features that promote warming, such as under cliff bands or on steep sunny slopes at middle elevations. While these wet avalanches will likely remain small, they could be consequential if they push you in steep, craggy terrain. 

    Rollerballs, pinwheels, or trees shedding snow indicate that surfaces are becoming wet and weak. Look for more shaded aspects once you start noticing these signs.

    (3/26/2024)

    You could see rollerballs like this on Sunday. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

Professionals out in the Timberline area observed wind slabs to be reactive and thicker than past days (1-2 ft thick). They also reported variable travel with plenty of scoured surfaces in wind affected alpine terrain.

Mt Hood generally has about 6-10 inches of recent new snow resting over a widespread stout crust. The Timberline area received the most new snow with less amounts further east on the mountain. Despite the new snow, it's not enough to totally eliminate the long sliding fall hazard in steep exposed terrain. If you venture to these elevations, still pack the sharps kit to help you travel more efficiently and reduce the chance of a long sliding fall. 

If you get out, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation here.

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