East Slopes South

Even with softening and warming surfaces on sun-exposed slopes that still hold snow, avalanches remain unlikely. Carry sharp self-arresting equipment for traveling over hard, icy surfaces. Additionally, low snow coverage has made recreation challenging. Come prepared for it all with good travel techniques.

Low clouds sloshed around the zone on Sunday, allowing the sun to shine on a variety of slopes at a variety of times. Thanks to cold temperatures and robust surface crust formation, this didn't really have much effect on avalanche hazard. For Monday, anticipate a mix of low and middle clouds across the zone in the morning, before clearing in the afternoon as temperature inversions break down. You can also anticipate similar low avalanche hazard.

The mountains are inherently risky places with or without avalanches. Dangerously slick melt freeze crusts are widespread throughout the zone. Bumpy runnels and ice are common, too. A long, uncontrolled fall could go from bad to worse if you run into rocks, cliffs, trees, or creeks. These hazards are quite present right now, given how meager the snowpack is, and such incidents have been reported in the Cascades and Mt. Hood over the past week. Stack the odds in your favor by carrying something sharp to arrest a fall and know how to use it: ski/boot crampons, whippets, ice axes, etc. Don't forget to wear your helmet too!

Alternatively, the snowpack on shaded terrain is softening as it transforms into large, weaker grains known as facets. An NWAC Forecaster traveling in the zone on Wednesday found both near-surface and near-crust faceting snow in the upper portion of the snowpack on northerly aspects. Surface hoar formation is also extensive. Accounts from the nearby East Central zone have similar findings. While this doesn't really mean anything right now, these layers could become problematic once buried. We are still pinning down where exactly and to what extent these layers exist. As we finally face down a shift to stormy weather, start thinking about how you'll shift your mindset when you're in the backcountry.

Then there's dry ground across many lower elevations as well as steep south-facing or windward terrain. You’ll find a more meaningful snowpack ranging from 2-3 ft as you move onto north and east aspects. Plan ahead for challenging travel and keep a watchful eye out for exposed obstacles and open creeks.

While low avalanche danger exists, continue to practice safe travel rituals, such as exposing only one person to steep terrain at a time and carrying a functioning avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe. This could even be a great time to practice rescue with that equipment if you haven't yet this season!