Lawinenlagebericht

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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

You can trigger small loose avalanches on steep slopes. Small slab avalanches can also be triggered in wind-exposed terrain above treeline. Steer around thickly wind-loaded areas on steep slopes, and use caution on all steep slopes with soft snow surfaces.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate westerly winds transported the new snow onto lee slopes near ridgelines. Avalanches will be bigger and easier to trigger further west in the zone where more recent snow fell. Look for signs of instability such as shooting cracks, and stiffer textured snow over weaker snow. Feel for textured wind-affected snow as you change aspect and elevation.

    If traveling along ridgelines with large cornices make sure to stay well away from the edge. Cornices could fracture and trigger shallow slab avalanches. Travelers are surprised every season when cornices break further back than they expect. If you see glide cracks, stay well out from underneath them. Glide avalanches are notoriously difficult to predict and can be destructive when they release. 

    (3/24/2021) A cross-loaded slope in Cutthroat drainage. Avoid traveling on slopes with similar wind features. 6500ft, W. Photo: Josh Hirshberg

  • Loose Wet

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

    Warming temperatures and sunshine will trigger loose wet avalanches on steep, sun-exposed slopes. Look for signs of instability such as rollerballs, and other small fan-shaped avalanches as the temperature warms. The potential size of loose wet slides will increase where you find more new snow, such as areas closer to the crest and at higher elevations. Don't let these predictable avalanches catch you by surprise in or around terrain traps or extreme terrain.

    Loose dry avalanches are possible on very steep, shaded slopes above 6,000ft. Ride cautiously in steeper terrain knowing that you could initiate sluffs that may entrain loose snow and grow larger.

    (3/24/2021) A number of small natural loose avalanches and overhung cornices in the Cutthroat drainage. ENE, 7,300ft. Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

On Wednesday in the Cutthroat drainage, An observer reported around 5" of new snow with 1 foot since the 21st. Shallow wind drifts were observed near ridgetops, and small loose dry avalanches were easily triggered on slopes steeper than 40 degrees. The new snow fell on a recently buried sun crust on all aspects but direct north. On northerly and shaded aspects, observers were still reporting cold dry snow above about 6000' in elevation. An observer also reported a large recent glide avalanche in Cutthroat at around 5,400ft that appeared to have occurred since March 21st.

Since the beginning of March, the region has undergone a slow warming trend and now steady but cool temperatures. Observers have reported sporadic cornice fall.  Cornices are very large and still loom on many ridges. The mid-January weak layer that plagued most of the Cascades for the month of February has not been a major concern near Washington Pass.

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