Loose Wet
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Possible
- Größe
- 1.5–2.5
Another 1 inch of rain will fall on our saturated snowpack through Thursday. While the likelihood of triggering may have decreased, don’t underestimate steep slopes right now, especially ones that connect to larger, upper mountain features. Keep any combo of wet loose, wet slab, cornice shed, and even glide avalanches where smooth rock slabs exist under the lean, early-season snowpack on your radar.
There’s obviously very little or no snow at trailhead elevations, but expect this wet avalanche problem to become more prevalent as you climb above 6500 ft on steep, snow-covered slopes. Deep boot penetrations and sloppy, wet surfaces are indicators that you can trigger wet avalanches. Poor visibility should also help you plan a more conservative line on the mountain. Let the rain stop and temperatures cool before climbing or riding on steep terrain.
(4/22/2022)
An example of small wet loose avalanches in Newton Creek. Small avalanches could have significant consequences when the terrain is shallow and disconnected as it currently is.
Photo: Ron Martin