Boletín de aludes

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

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

Lo esencial

A classic spring weekend is on tap with lots of sun, balmy temperatures, and light winds. Be wary of steep slopes where the snow is thick, unsupportable, and wet. Avoid traveling directly under cliffs still holding snow,  cornices, and glide cracks, especially during the heat of the day.  Areas of locally higher danger are possible - get away from steep slopes if you start seeing widespread natural avalanche activity.

Problemas de aludes

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    1–2

    More sun and warmer temperatures are forecast for Friday. Consider the following when coming up with a plan for the weekend.

    • Anticipate wet avalanches at all aspects and elevations, not just slopes directly facing the sun.
    • Cornices and other hanging snow features will weaken and start to fall down the mountain. Falling cornices and shedding snow can also trigger larger avalanches on the slope below.
    • Wet loose avalanches are much less likely when the snow surface is topped with a crust, but cornices and other hanging snow features won't gain much strength with cooler conditions overnight.
    • Human-triggered wet avalanches are possible. Pay attention to any snow that starts to move with you when descending.

    Keep track of what’s above you - or what will eventually be above you - at all times.  Plan your day so you aren't forced to cross below questionable terrain in order to get back to the trailhead. Active signs of instability and small avalanches are warnings that bigger avalanches are possible, but you might not see anything until a big one releases naturally.

    (3/30/2024)

    Steep rocky, snow-covered terrain is the kind of place that could produce a larger avalanche. Don't linger below, especially in gullies that concentrate and funnel avalanche debris.

    Photo: Josh Metzger

Avalanche Discussion

While the snow surface nearly everywhere is wet, there might still be some dry snow at the highest elevations. The likelihood is low you will find a legitimate wind slab. It’s still worth keeping an eye out for pockets of wind-drifted snow if you make it to the alpine, especially with consequential terrain below.

Low and mid-elevation snow cover varies quite a bit with aspect. Some southerly slopes are bare up to almost 5000' in some areas, while consistent snow cover down to 3500' is found in steep, shaded valleys. While the danger is generally Low at the lowest elevations, consider it higher anywhere you find relatively smooth, consistent snow cover.

Backcountry reports from the Baker BC indicated numerous wet loose avalanches on Friday, both naturally and human-triggered, on northerly aspects around Shuksan Arm. Similar activity likely occurred in other parts of the forecast zone as well. Observers made it to upper-elevation terrain in the North Cascades on Thursday. They easily triggered small wet loose avalanches that ran in the top few inches of snow. Dry, settled, wind-affected snow was found on northerly, upper-elevation slopes in the morning but the snow surface in this sort of terrain was starting to become moist in the afternoon.

 

 

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