Boletín de aludes

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

Sat
Alta montaña
1 · Débil
Límite del bosque
1 · Débil
Bajo el límite
1 · Débil
Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 2 years ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

Cloudy skies and breezy winds should help keep wet loose avalanches at bay on Friday.  If you do find yourself in an area with wet punchy snow,  use caution near terrain traps like gullies, cliffs and open creeks.  On slopes with a firm slick crust, make sure you have the proper tools to arrest a fall before crossing steep slopes. 

Problemas de aludes

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    1

    The day will start cloudy along with breezy SE-S winds, but we may see some filtered sunshine in the afternoon as clouds thin.  If you find an avalanche problem on Friday, it's like to be in areas where you where the surface crust breaks down and you find wet sticky snow.   Rollerballs, pinwheels, and wet sloppy snow are all precursors to wet loose avalanches.  As we transition from a winter to spring snowpack, wet loose avalanches are on the menu pretty much every day in some form or fashion.  Continue to use caution around extreme terrain features and terrain traps (steep trees, cliff bands, open creek holes and exposed rocks) where even a small avalanche can have real consequences.  If you find wet and punchy snow,  shift to lower angle or cooler/shadier slopes.     

    Cornices have been sagging due to recent warm temperatures. Give these fragile, overhanging blocks of snow some space along ridgelines, and be aware of your exposure to the overhead hazard they present. 

    (2/22/2024)

    Sloppy snow and rollerballs are signs the signs the surface is becoming wet and weak. 

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

On Thursday, backcountry travelers reported a fair amount of sunshine that broke down the surface crust and softened snow surfaces below 7500'.   At higher elevations, windy conditions kept the snow firmer. 

The snowpack is slowly transitioning from winter to spring, although it's not totally there yet. With some effort, youcan still find a winter-like snowpack at higher elevations (mainly above 8000 ft) and on shaded aspects around Mt Hood. In these areas, finding a small, rogue wind slab is not totally out of the question. As you travel at upper elevations, use caution and carefully assess features that could hold wind-drifted snow. Look for signs of instability like cracking or collapsing before committing to larger lines. Remember, you don't need a large avalanche to ruin your day in consequential terrain.

Below these elevations, you are likely to encounter firm, refrozen surfaces that may soften during the day.  Rime ice has been prominent across windward features and ridgelines, making for firm travel. Be prepared for slick travel by packing your crampons and ice axe so that you can safely arrest a fall. 

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