East Slopes Central

Sunshine might help soften steep southerly slopes but it shouldn’t create consequential avalanche concerns. Instead, the variable travel conditions, particularly in the forest, will shape your day. Make sure you have the tools, techniques, and time to deal with the variety of snow surfaces.

Easterly winds should help keep temperatures across the zone on the cooler side Sunday. This should limit the sun’s ability to soften firm crusts to steep southerly slopes. With minimal warming and no recent snow, it’s no surprise we’re expecting “generally safe avalanche conditions.”

In the far northern portions of the zone near Holden, significantly warmer air may push into the area. While we don’t think this will increase the avalanche danger, it could cause a random blob of snow or cornice to shed from rocky faces. Pay attention to what’s above your head and don’t linger underneath these hazards. 

Even with the low danger, if you poke into some of the higher, more remote, or craggier areas there’s always an outside chance you’ll find a small very, isolated pocket of wind drifted snow. An observation from Cascade Pass last week provides a great example of these potential rogue avalanches. Just don’t fully shut your brain off, especially in high consequence terrain.

Travel conditions continue to be the focus of most conversations. You can find fun smooth snow in open areas. The trick is getting there. On southerly slopes, you may find firm, sometimes icy, surfaces or breakable crusts. In shaded terrain, breakable crusts, firm slopes, wind textured snow, and recycled powder (facets) all exist. The real treacherous place is in the trees. Icy, irregular snow makes for rugged and scary travel. Plan for extra time to deal with these variable conditions. 

This has been a prolonged period of quiet weather. Even still, the upper snowpack continues to change. Crusts continue to weaken and even sometimes disappear. They are being replaced by weak facets. Additionally, surface hoar has become common after so many cold clear nights. These sparkly weak grains aren’t an issue yet but are worth tracking as we impatiently await our next storm.