Summit Lake

Human-triggered avalanches are unlikely today. Small avalanches remain possible in isolated pockets of wind-loaded terrain or on very steep slopes, but the snowpack is generally stable. We recommend following standard safe travel practices: travel one at a time in avalanche terrain, spot your partners, and regroup in safe zones.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

With heavy hearts, we report a fatal avalanche accident on March 27 near Lake George. One skier was caught and did not survive. We’ve posted a preliminary report in our accident database and will update it as more details become available. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, friends, and all guides and responders involved.

Generally stable avalanche conditions continue across the Summit Lake area. It’s been over a week since the last reported human-triggered avalanche, and much longer since any large (D2 or bigger) ones were triggered. Even so, when danger is low it’s still possible to trigger a small avalanche — especially in isolated wind-loaded pockets or particularly steep terrain.

Loose Snow Avalanches remain likely on steep slopes. These are easily triggered by a person and can become problematic in consequential terrain. Temperatures have been slowly climbing the past few days, reaching the mid to upper 30s°F at lower elevations. This warming is starting to increase the potential for wet snow avalanches as melting works into the upper snowpack.