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Avalanche danger
Highlights
Mostly stable avalanche conditions exist, and large avalanches are unlikely. You could trigger thin pockets of windblown snow near ridgelines. Small, human-triggered loose snow avalanches (sluffs) are possible on very steep slopes on the northern half of the compass.
Avalanche Discussion
Before leaving the house this morning, contemplate all possible situations to get into trouble while moving through the mountains. The list is pretty short for today, and the avalanches are expected to be small; not one issue outweighs the chances of triggering one problem to the next. Here are some of the potential hazards to consider before heading into the mountains:
- Wind Slabs: Keep your eyes peeled for wind-blown snow immediately below exposed ridgelines and on the sides of gullies or chutes. You're most likely to encounter these thin slabs at upper elevations. They are likely small but can catch you off guard if you trigger one above trees, cliffs, or gullies.
- Loose Snow Avalanches: The upper foot of the snowpack may be weak and faceted on some NW-N-NE-E facing slopes. On very steep slopes approaching 40 degrees, it won't take much to get surficial sluffs moving (photo). These may not be big enough to bury you, but they could knock you over and push you where you don't want to go.
LOW danger is not an excuse to throw caution to the wind. All of your standard safety protocols still apply. Continue to carry rescue gear, travel one at a time through avalanche terrain, and watch for signs of instability. Remember that small avalanches can have bad outcomes in complex terrain. Before committing to skiing or riding a slope, think about where an avalanche could carry you. Could you get pushed over cliffs, through trees, or into creeks or gullies? Slopes with these terrain traps are inherently more dangerous than open slopes with a clean runout.
You can get caught up on what happened last week with Ben's latest Weekend Update.