Lawinenlagebericht

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

The chance of triggering large and surprising avalanches on deeper weak layers is maintaining Moderate avalanche danger. You may be able to trigger avalanches more easily near Harts Pass and in the northeast portion of the zone. For Saturday, expect a mix of sun and clouds, warming temperatures, and a chance for light precipitation. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    2–3

    In much of the zone, avalanches are difficult to trigger but not impossible. You may be able to trigger them more easily near Harts Pass or where the weak layer is less than 3 feet below the surface.  Deep slab avalanches could easily be big enough to kill you and could even be unsurvivable. Limit your exposure to large start zones and very steep slopes. Avoid complex and unsupported terrain, shallow, rocky areas, and unsupported slopes.

    On March 3rd and 9th, backcountry travelers in the Harts Pass area triggered large to very large avalanches on northerly aspects near treeline. A cornice-triggered avalanche may have also occurred around the 9th on McGregor Mtn. You can find the late January weak layer (facets sandwiched between two crusts) 3-5' below the surface. Snowpack tests can help you identify the layer of concern. Observers continue to report sudden or propagating test results even as avalanches have become difficult to trigger. East of Washington Pass, the snowpack becomes shallower, and this interface may be nearer to the snow surface.

    (3/10/2022)

    Recent D2.5 deep slab, likely triggered by a cornice fall.  To the right you can see a similar avalanche that likely occurred during the natural cycle of 2/28-3/1. McGregor Mtn, NNE, 7,200ft.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

You could find some thin and drifted slabs above treeline. Recent, light precipitation and increasing wind could add drifts to older, thin slabs. Track surface conditions and look for our next potential weak layer. A chance for a stormy week could build new slabs on existing weak snow surfaces.

On March 9th, observers near Harts Pass remotely triggered a sized R3-D2 avalanche from 20-30 feet away. The avalanche occurred roughly around 6,600ft on a north aspect on facets, tho a crown profile revealed a uniquely shallow snowpack. On March 3rd, a size D2.5 avalanche was triggered nearby on Tatie Peak on a northeast aspect at 6,800ft. Fortunately, no one was caught in these avalanches. Another avalanche likely occurred on the late January weak layer with cornice fall around March 8-9th on McGregor Mtn, NNE, 7000ft. Observers reported other deep crowns in the Hairpin Valley and near Azurite Pass after an avalanche cycle on 2/28-3/1. This is evidence that the late January facets could produce more avalanches under the right conditions.

Travel conditions may be challenging, especially at lower elevations where you'll find plenty of firm avalanche debris and crusts from the storm and associated avalanche cycleat the beginning of March. The rain formed a crust up to 5,500- 6,500ft depending on location.  Widespread avalanches occurred in storm instabilities as well as deeper old, weak layers. Observers report both wet and dry avalanches, with most occurring in new snow instabilities and a handful running on deeper layers.

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