Olympics

Several weeks of dry and mild weather maintain spring-like avalanche problems throughout the week.  Avoid lingering below glide cracks, beware of cracking cornices, and stay off steep slopes anywhere you find wet and punchy snow deeper than your ankle.  Variable surface conditions may make for difficult and potentially dangerous travel. 

Winter took a break around January 11th with temperatures largely staying above freezing the last 2 weeks.  The few storms that have impacted the area resulted in more rain than snow over the same stretch.  Wet snow avalanches were more frequent earlier in the month when we transitioned from a dry, cold snowpack, to our current springlike pattern. 

Melt-freeze crusts that form during clear nights are most likely to soften on steeper southerly aspects. Glide cracks have opened up over this stretch and old cornices are sagging.  Last week a few glide avalanches were reported in the Hurricane Ridge area; a D1.5 glide avalanche was reported 1/21 on a N aspect and a small glide avalanche failed during the day on Thursday 1/20  (SSE aspect, 4600 ft), covering half of the Hurricane Ridge road.  Minimal (1") snowpack consolidation over the last 5 days at Hurricane Ridge suggests that most aspects are not being stressed by the recent mild temperatures. However, shallower sun-exposed aspects and ridges have melted back significantly exposing grass and rocks.

Adopt a spring mindset for travel in the Hurricane Ridge area this week:

1. You're likely to find challenging surface conditions at all elevations during the morning hours or all day in areas where icy conditions persist.   Some form of spikes (crampons, ice ax, etc) may be useful. Make sure you can self-arrest before crossing a steep slope, especially near terrain traps like trees, open creeks, rocks, etc.
2. Large cornices remain a hazard as warm temperatures continue to weaken them. Give them a wide berth while traveling along ridgelines and don't linger on slopes beneath them.
3. If you see glide cracks, much like cornices, avoid hanging out below them.  In isolated areas, the entire season's snowpack can slide without warning.  
4. Wet loose avalanches are possible on steep slopes where the snow becomes wet and punchy.  If you find yourself sinking in deeper than your ankle, it's time to change aspects or move to lower-angle terrain.  Small wet loose avalanches are most likely on steep southerly slopes.  They may become large on slopes if they begin to gouge down to older wet snow layers. 

The next storm cycle should commence Saturday night into Sunday. Please help us monitor snow surface conditions by submitting an observation.

2021-22 Forecast Schedule: Avalanche danger ratings will be issued for the Olympics every Friday through Sunday and during mid-week holidays. During the week when the Hurricane Ridge road is closed, forecast information will be updated daily to include expected conditions and relevant travel advice under the No Rating label.