Lawinenlagebericht

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Fri
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 3 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

You may still be able to trigger avalanches in lingering pockets of wind-drifted snow at high elevations. Alpine terrain features such as the base of cliffs and confined chutes are likely spots to get caught in one of these slabs. Identify and avoid steep slopes with hollow-sounding snow or deep, pillow-like drifts.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    A few inches of snow with strong easterly winds built wind slabs over the last 48hrs. While these are likely trending towards stubborn, in alpine terrain on steep slopes near rocks and cliffs, you could still trigger one of these lingering pockets. Wind slabs may have formed over various surfaces, including slick crusts and weak, faceted snow, so they could take longer than usual to become unreactive. While none of these avalanches are likely to be large, don't let your guard down in terrain where getting knocked off your feet could have significant consequences. Look and feel for hollow-sounding snow, textured surfaces, and "fat" looking drifts to identify steep slopes to avoid. When in doubt, trend around these features using lower angle slopes or scoured windward aspects. 

    (2/17/2023) Isolated steep slopes in confined rocky features, are likely spot to trigger a lingering wind slab.

    Photo: Drew Lovell

Avalanche Discussion

With the annual spring opening of the highway underway, we have limited information from the Washington Pass area. With this increased uncertainty, if you venture out into the East North, choose more conservative terrain with options to avoid steep slopes if you identify unstable snow. Assess conditions as you travel using quick hand pits and test slopes to observe how new snow reacts. Recent reports are that southern aspects have supportable crusts, with only due north slopes holding onto cold, dry powder. However, the winds have also likely damaged snow surfaces, so expect to find plentiful wind-affect and scoured slopes throughout the terrain. 

As the sun warms sunny slopes, there is an increasing potential for wet loose avalanches. Widespread crusts and wind-affected snow will likely limit the extent of wet avalanche problems, but you still may see some small wet slides tomorrow. Pay attention to the consistency of the snow below you and move onto lower-angle terrain if wet, heavy snow is easily sliding downhill.

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