Boletín de aludes

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

Fri
Alta montaña
2 · Moderado
Límite del bosque
1 · Débil
Bajo el límite
1 · Débil
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Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 5 years ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

Small wind slabs with freshly drifted snow in open, exposed areas are the main concern. With all the low-density snow, sluffing can also occur on very steep slopes. Consider the consequences of small slides before entering larger terrain. 

Problemas de aludes

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    1–1.5

    Look for signs of recent and active wind drifted snow such as blowing snow, sharp drifts, small cornices, and wind rippled snow.  If you can observe areas that are freshly affected by wind, steer around them on steep slopes. Always check how the snow is reacting by using small, inconsequential test slopes before entering more committing and consequential areas. Watch for shooting cracks and recent avalanches as indicators of danger.

    Loose avalanches, otherwise known as 'sluffs' may pose a threat in very steep areas. Plan your ride so that you manage your sluff in steeper terrain and remember to never ride on top of other people in this environment.

    Drifts covering the skin track a few hours later are a sign that wind is drifting snow, and you could find wind slabs on steeper slopes. Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

An observer reported ski cutting small soft slabs off Tye Peak on Wednesday. He noted that cold, gusty east winds were transporting the 3-5" of new snow easily. Another observer reported minimal wind effect and no instabilities near Jove Peak. This speaks to the nature of wind and its affects on snow; One side of a mountain may get lots of wind affect, and the other could be very sheltered. The low-level easterly flow on Wednesday may have drifted snow in areas right near the pass, through the valleys, but perhaps not in other areas. 

An avalanche professional reported a number of small loose dry avalanches on the west side of the pass on Tuesday. On Monday an observer reported a small but long-running loose avalanche in steep, unsupported terrain at Stevens Pass Resort. Over the weekend, observers reported numerous avalanches running on layers within the recent snow. Most were small to large, and both a natural cycle and human-triggered slabs were reported. 

Since December, 8th over 60" of snow with 4.6" of water equivalent has fallen at the Schmit Haus plot. On slopes over 5,000ft, a stout crust (formed in late November) is at the bottom of the snowpack. The December 8th crust rests just above that, is intermittent up to at least 6,200ft, and is often translucent. Observers reported variable tests on both crusts including some sudden planar results. While we haven't confirmed avalanches on these crusts in this zone, they're worth considering before committing to complex and unsupported terrain.

Uphill travel reminder: Check in with your local ski area this weekend regarding terrain access and parking updates. For the SPMR uphill hotline call 206-812-7847. Closed ski areas often share a similar snowpack and avalanche hazard as the surrounding backcountry. You may also encounter other hazards like active avalanche mitigation, unmarked obstacles, snowmobiles, groomers, and other heavy equipment as ski areas prepare to open. Be prepared to make your own assessments and handle emergency situations.

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