Eastside Region

LOW avalanche danger persists at all elevations.  Monitor for isolated areas of unstable snow, be on the lookout for rockfall due to daytime warming, and prepare for a full variety of challenging and shallow surface conditions.

Partly cloudy skies and increasing winds out of the southwest may limit the amount of solar warming today however, it is always prudent to monitor for changing conditions and keep an eye out for isolated instabilities. Do your own localized assessments and monitor for excessive surface warming and increased risk of rockfall on solar aspects.  Many solar aspects are already burnt out, sparsely covered, or well transitioned at this point. Easterly and westerly aspects that contain a more transitional snowpack may be areas of greater concern, particularly at lower elevations, areas with particularly thin coverage, areas near rock outcroppings or cliff bands, and southerly facing couloirs where the effects of warming are amplified. Be wary of your exposure to terrain hazards and be prepared to retreat to more shaded aspects if you notice that surface warming is reaching concerning levels.

Diminishing & thin coverage and variable surface conditions should remain top of mind for the backcountry enthusiast. Highly textured, 3-dimensional surfaces are common on all aspects, hard and slick slopes can be found at all elevations, unsupportable facets in some sheltered areas near and below treeline can make an already thin feeling snowpack even more hazardous, moist, punchy, & sticky snow may make for unpredictable sliding, and dust on crust conditions can make travel difficult on both the ascent and descent. Be prepared with the proper equipment, start early, and be aware of your exposure to terrain hazards such as long steep slopes, cliff bands, thinly covered obstacles, areas of dry ground, tight rocky chokes, and stands of bushes and trees.