Olympics

The snowpack continues to gradually stabilize in the Olympics, but wind slabs linger at upper elevations. You can trigger an avalanche anywhere you find 6" or more of recent snow on top of the recent supportable crust. Use your pole to identify and steer around wind-loaded features steeper than 35 degrees.

At Hurricane Ridge, a powerful storm brought 5" of snow Friday night before snow levels rose to at least 5200 ft, wetting the upper snowpack Saturday morning. The tail end of the storm system brought 5.5" of snow, which now sits on a supportable, refrozen 12/18 crust.

Strong winds were reported, but their impact on the snow may have been limited below 5000 ft because they coincided with the period of strongest warming. If you head to higher elevations, pay attention to the depth of snow above the most recent prominent crust. Use your pole to find a layer that is challenging to punch through. If you find more than 6" of snow above this layer, assume that you can trigger an avalanche on a slope steeper than 35 degrees. If you don't find this layer at all, you'll need to use visual clues to identify wind slabs. Pay attention for wind-stiffened snow or firm punchy layers. Look up toward the ridgeline for recently formed cornices pointing toward the slopes you want to ascend or descend. These are the slopes where you could trigger a large avalanche at upper elevations.

Conditions have changed significantly since NWAC Observer Sam Luthy and NPS staff were in the Maggie's area. However, total snow depth above 4500 ft in sheltered areas remains relatively unchanged around 3' (1m).  The landscape has filled in nicely at mid and upper elevations, but we aren't close to mid-winter depths. Keep an eye out for sharks lurking not too far below the snow surface at lower elevations (rocks, logs, etc).  Observers are still tracking a weak snow (facet) crust combination about 3' down on northerly aspects near treeline in the Hurricane Ridge area. However, no known avalanches have been reported on this layer and recent crust formation gives us increased confidence that it would be very difficult to trigger an avalanche on this layer. At the bottom of the snowpack, you can find a thick crust from early December.

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.