Olympics

The avalanche danger increases throughout the day on Wednesday as fresh snow and wind combine to create shallow slabs you can trigger. Once drifts become 6" or deeper,  steer around steep slopes below sharp cornices. Assess recent storm interfaces for potential signs of lingering weak snow before committing to larger open slopes.

A fresh storm refocuses our attention on new snow avalanche problems. Moderate winds will transport an expected 4-5" of snow arriving late Tuesday night through Wednesday, creating shallow drifts that will be easier to trigger and more widespread as the day wears on. Slabs overly a suspected melt-freeze crust likely formed on W-S-E aspects during sunny and above-freezing weather on Tuesday.  On colder northerly aspects, be sure to check the new/old snow interface for signs of weak snow which could make the new snow and drifts touchy. Surface hoar was widespread in the Skyline Divide area of the Cascades West North zone. Light winds and clear skies Monday night may have created similar conditions in the Hurricane Ridge area. Steer around steep slopes to the lee of ridgelines where you find 6" of snow above the old snow or crust interface. You can identify lee slopes where wind-textured snow transitions to cornices with deposition zones below. You're most likely to trigger a slab at inflection points where the terrain steepens. Consequences increase in rocky terrain where a slab can push you over a cliff. 

No new avalanches were reported at Hurricane Ridge over the weekend. Observers on Sunday noted loose, dry snow on northerly aspects and variable conditions with a mix of surface crusts on other aspects in the Hurricane Ridge area.  On Saturday, NPS rangers reported whumpfing and shooting cracks on low-angle North aspects near treeline.  The interface was likely the 3/18 pre-storm layer.  About 2 ft of snow accumulated at Hurricane Ridge during a period of S-SW winds Thursday through Sunday that drifted recent storm snow onto W-N-E aspects. In addition to the 3/23 interface, consider assessing the 3/18 layer on a similar test slope before committing to steep terrain. If any weak snow remains beneath last weekend's wind slabs, the stiffened snow may still produce a large avalanche that you can trigger in avalanche start zones.

While the Sierra Nevada mountains may be far from the Olympic Mountains, a recent tragic and fatal accident reminds us that large recently formed cornices can break further back than travelers expect. Cornices can also fall and trigger a wind slab on the slopes below. Assess your risk and minimize your exposure if you must travel below any large cornices.

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.