Olympics

You'll find variable and spring-like surface conditions while traveling in the Olympics mid-week.  Stay off of very steep slopes if you find wet snow deeper than your ankle or see signs of recent wet loose avalanches.  Make sure you can self-arrest a fall before crossing slopes that are firm and icy. 

The calendar says early February but the forecast and snowpack feels more like April following several stretches of mild weather and very little snowfall since early January.  Keep the following non-avalanche hazards on your mind:

• Ridgelines and wind-exposed slopes may have exposed rocks and vegetation, particularly on southerly aspects. Rocks may also be shallowly submerged. Rockfall has increased as steep slopes melt out, so always maintain awareness of the slopes above you.
• Where the 1/30 crust is exposed and firm, it may be slick and icy. Falls may be difficult to control, so assess your ability to self-arrest a fall before crossing a steep slope. In other areas, breakable crusts may create challenging riding conditions.
• Streams and creeks may be exposed at lower elevations.
• Glide cracks have opened in many typical avalanche start zones. While they are not currently expected to form glide avalanches, they present a small crevasse-like hazard. 
• While cornices are generally trimmed back and sagging in the Hurricane Ridge area,  give them space when traveling along ridgelines. 

During a minor interlude of cold weather from 01/30 until the morning of 02/05, 6" of snow fell at Hurricane Ridge. Periods of moderate to occasionally strong winds drifted snow near and above treeline.  An excellent observation from Hurricane Hill on 02/06 noted shooting cracks on shaded aspects above 5000 ft.  As we head further into our mild and mostly dry stretch of weather this week,  you're unlikely to trigger older wind slabs. 

The warm-up later this week may start to affect more shaded aspects that have dry snow under a thin surface crust.  Track how snow surfaces change throughout the day.  If you encounter slushy snow, see rollerballs or recent loose wet avalanches, move to lower angle slopes or find aspects with firmer surfaces.  With a multitude of ground hazards around, think about the consequences of even a small avalanche. 

Below the 01/30 crust the snowpack is currently strong and there are no layers of concern.

2021-22 Forecast Schedule: Avalanche danger ratings will be issued for the Olympics every Friday through Sunday and during mid-week holidays. During the week when the Hurricane Ridge road is closed, forecast information will be updated daily to include expected conditions and relevant travel advice under the No Rating label.