Lawinenlagebericht

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sat
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 6 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Avoid wind drifted slopes 35 degrees and steeper at upper elevations, especially where an avalanche could carry you into rocks, trees, cliffs, or other obstacles. Watch for wet and weak snow surfaces on solar aspects as the sun comes out Friday. Use caution as the icy old snow surface below the recent snow is a good sliding surface for avalanches and still makes for slick and challenging travel conditions.  

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You can trigger an avalanche in wind drifted snow large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person. Pay attention as you transition into wind affected terrain and look and feel for sudden changes in snow surface texture and hardness. Previously formed wind slabs still need time to stabilize, and fresh slabs could continue to build Friday. You may find wind slabs on a variety of aspects and in unusual locations due to shifting winds over the past week. Fresh slabs rest atop variable surfaces including icy crusts and weak, sugary snow. You are most likely to trigger a slab on steep slopes below cornices, to the lee side of ridgelines, below rocky outcrops, and in gully features. Carefully assess how recent snow has bonded to old snow surfaces as you travel using hand pits and small test slopes. Seek out lower angled and wind-sheltered terrain to reduce your risk of triggering an avalanche.  

    (1/28/2021) A skier remotely triggered this wind slab (D1) on the east aspect of Tye Peak near 5200ft Thursday. The crown was 20-25ft across and 6-18in deep. Photo: Marc Simonpietri

  • Loose Wet

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

    The recent cold, low-density snow will see sunshine for the first time this week with clear skies expected Friday. Snow surfaces may quickly become wet and weak on steep solar aspects. If you see trees shedding snow, or rollerballs and pinwheels, expect wet loose avalanches to follow. Although these avalanches may be small, they could knock you off your feet and carry you into trees, rocks, cliffs, or other obstacles. They may even trigger slab avalanches as they run downslope. Watch for changing conditions throughout the day, and move to shaded or lower angled terrain to avoid the problem. 

    (1/23/2021) Example photo of loose wet avalanches in steep, rocky, sun-exposed terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Human triggered avalanches were reported the past few days in wind-affected areas (observation), and even a few small naturals were observed in Highlands Bowl on Wednesday. These avalanches ran on, or just above the old/new snow interface, which is a slippery crust in most areas. Avalanches were small, although new snow and wind are adding up and you could find thicker and more reactive slabs at higher elevations. Carefully assess the snowpack as you travel, especially on the northern half of the compass where you might find layers of weak faceted snow associated with prominent crusts buried by recent and windblown snow. There is uncertainty regarding the distribution and sensitivity of these buried weak layers. Evidence exists but is not always easy to find. Weak snow could be above and below the crusts, or not present at all. The variability may be the biggest challenge, so investigate each slope you plan to ride individually, as what you find in one area may be different from the next.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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