Olympics

Make sure you can arrest a fall before crossing steep, icy slopes during the morning hours. As the day wears on, adjust your aspect away from slopes with slush up to your ankle. Steer around northerly aspects near ridgelines if you find firmer wind-drifted snow.

Mostly springlike conditions prevail in the Olympics and the majority of the last month has been above freezing at Hurricane Ridge. While it's still early February, the snowpack feels more like April. Keep the following non-avalanche hazards on your mind:

• Ridgelines and wind-exposed slopes may have exposed rocks and vegetation, particularly on southerly aspects. Rocks may also be shallowly submerged. Rockfall has increased as steep slopes melt out, so always maintain awareness of the slopes above you.
• Where the 1/30 crust is exposed and firm, it may be slick and icy. Falls may be difficult to control, so make sure you assess your ability to arrest a fall before crossing a steep slope. In other areas, breakable crusts may create challenging riding conditions.
• Streams and creeks may be exposed at lower elevations.
• Glide cracks have opened in many typical avalanche start zones. While they are not currently expected to form glide avalanches, they present a small crevasse-like hazard. 

A minor interlude of cold weather from 01/30 until the morning of 02/05 came with around 6" of snow at Hurricane Ridge. Periods of moderate to occasionally strong winds 01/30, 02/04, and 02/06 formed wind drifted snow near and above treeline. An excellent observation from Hurricane Hill on 02/06 noted shooting cracks on shaded aspects above 5000 ft. Continue to be vigilant as you approach ridgelines on these shaded aspects. Note signs of potentially unstable snow including cracking of snow surfaces, textured snow, fresh/sharp cornices, and an increase in snow depth above the pervasive 1/30 rain crust.

Over the weekend, ONP rangers and other observers also noted 2-4" of surficial snow that became saturated during periods of warm temperatures on southerly aspects. Despite cooler temperatures on Monday (only rising into the mid-30s), full sunshine likely softened these southerly aspects once again. With clear skies Monday night, breakable surface crusts previously noted on all aspects should start the day firm. However, milder temperatures will likely allow snow surfaces to soften once again despite increasing clouds might limit the sun's energy reaching the snow surface. Take note of the snow between the surficial crust and the 1/30 rain crust when you start the day. If you find dry snow in between, shallow wet avalanches will be more likely to initiate when the sun breaks down. If you encounter slushy snow, reduce your slope angle and move to aspects not receiving direct sunshine.

Below the 01/30 crust, the snowpack is currently strong and there are no layers of concern.

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.