Boletín de aludes

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

Thu
Alta montaña
3 · Notable
Límite del bosque
3 · Notable
Bajo el límite
3 · Notable
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Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 6 years ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

Expect dangerous conditions after yet another heavy storm load. Slabs could be very large and deep. Use patience while the snowpack adjusts. Look for signs of instability, and choose conservative terrain, staying off of and out from underneath large open slopes.

Problemas de aludes

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Likely
    Tamaño
    2–3

    Steer around open slopes 35 degrees and steeper until the snowpack has a chance to adjust to yet another hefty new load. We could be coming out of a natural avalanche cycle on Wednesday morning, so expect reactive conditions throughout the day. Pay attention to lingering instabilities like shooting cracks, avalanches, and whumphing collapses. Any avalanche triggered in the recent snow could be DEEP. Even if its shallow, it could step down to crusts from the past couple of weeks. With all of the uncertainty, it'll be best to stay off of slopes steep enough to avalanche for another day or two. As you travel, take a look at which layers are failing and consider the consequences of even small pieces of steep terrain. As you ascend in elevation or travel into wind affected terrain, remember slabs will be more cohesive, and potentially deeper and more destructive. 

    Loose dry avalanches may run easily with all the deep new snow. Look for these fan-shaped slides that start from a point (also known as point releases). In big, steep terrain these could entrain lots of snow, and create larger avalanches. 

    (1/2/2021) 200ft wide avalanche on a SW aspect of Round Mountain in the Hwy 2 Corridor.

Avalanche Discussion

We’re more than 8 days into a prolonged storm cycle at Stevens Pass. Snow continues to pile up at all elevations. As the storm totals grow so does our uncertainty with recent crust layers and upper elevation terrain. Any avalanche has the potential to entrain additional snow, grow larger and become destructive. On the night of the 2nd into the 3rd there was an avalanche cycle that produced some large (D2) avalanches in the zone, some were over 2ft deep. On Monday, Josh Hirshberg found minimal slab structure below treeline, but some cracking at 5,300ft on a SW aspect in very steep terrain. He also observed recent D2 wet debris at 3,900ft that came from higher up. On Sunday, avalanche professionals observed a large (D2) avalanche off a southeast aspect in Moonlight, just east of the pass proper. 

Deep snow immersion is real out there. Be vigilant around tree wells, and stay close to your partner while traveling through the trees. 

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.

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