Eastside Region

Avalanches are Unlikely. Variable and firm “slide-for-life” conditions are the greatest hazards in the backcountry. Be on the lookout for unstable snow in isolated terrain and a variety of challenging  snow surfaces.

A good overnight freeze and relatively cool temperatures should keep sunny aspects in check for the day. Continue to be observant for potential warming of snow surfaces on southerly aspects, especially in confined terrain where solar input will accelerate surface softening and loosening of rock.

Snow surfaces in the alpine environment are quite horrendous and have become worse as another round of violent northeasterly winds eroded and stripped shady aspects up high yesterday. Yes, 100+mph winds can rip apart “boilerplate” snow. With not a snowflake falling in nearly 6 weeks, and with no new snow in sight, it looks like a great time to explore other mountain ranges in the west that are picking up some new snow. If continuing to adventure in the Eastern Sierra, it remains good practice to reduce one’s exposure to cliffs or where a fall on steep and incredibly firm slopes may be un-recoverable. Alpine terrain is wind sculpted and extremely firm as well as severely sastrugied and/or faceted and loose in deep cold zones with less wind effects. Similarly, exposed open snowfields below tree line are equally as smooth and hard except there is more variability and breakable conditions mixed in. A majority of touring, even below tree line, is more akin to a ski mountaineering  with the need to utilize specialized equipment (ice axe, boot/ski crampons, helmet). On a positive note, faceting surfaces within sheltered trees are providing some “re-cycled” soft turns and have been improving during this lengthy dry spell under cold clear nights.