I LOVE when melt/freeze crusts allow you to travel super-fast everywhere! Get up and get going EARLY, then be back at the parking lot by noon, before the warm, sloppy avalanches start chundering down.
Just make sure the permit areas are open!!
Summary
Weather Forecast
One more day of splitter bluebird skies, then cloud moving in with minor rain/snowfall Thurs/Fri.
Today: Sunny. FZL 2100m. Winds calm.
Wed: Mix of sun and cloud. FZL 2200m. Ridge winds W, 15-35km/h
Thurs: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. FZL 1700m. Ridge winds NE 10-20km/h
Snowpack Summary
A solid melt/freeze crust covers the landscape except high N aspects, where one can find loose, dry snow. These hard surfaces will break down with the strong April sun beating down on them, especially at lower elevations. The April 7th layer is down 20-40cm depending on aspect and elevation, and the March 18th crust is down 60-100cm.
Avalanche Summary
No new major avalanches observed in the last 24hrs.
Explosives control Saturday afternoon had good success bringing down moist and wet avalanches to sz 3 on solar aspects.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Wet
Strong solar radiation today will work to break down the surface crust formed overnight, elevating the hazard in solar exposed terrain. Check out this link for more info on spring conditions.
- Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices having been weakening with warm temperatures and strong solar radiation. The sun is beating down on the tops of cornices, even over polar aspects. Avoid exposure to cornices.
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 21st, 2021 8:00AM
