Loose Wet
- All elevations
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 0
When cold, dry snow becomes wet for the first time, it almost always means wet sluffs (loose snow that fans outward as it descends).
Larger wet slab avalanches can happen when melt water percolates through a layered, winter snowpack for the first time especially after multiple days of warm temperatures combined with no refreeze at night.
Glide avalanches occur regularly in spring as the entire snowpack slides slowly on the ground like a glacier until they suddenly release into a full-depth avalanche. These occur periodically on steep rock slabs and occasionally on steep grassy slopes. Notorious glide avalanche locations include Stairs Gulch or the rock slabs in Broads Fork. Avoid crossing under any slopes with cracks to the ground in the snowpack. Remember, they come down randomly, even at night.
Warning signs may include:
- Rollerballs (pinwheels) in new snow that is getting wet for the first time
- Natural or human-triggered wet sluffs
- Small sluffs fanning out into larger slides or running long distances
- Cornices breaking off
These signs mean it's time to head home or change to an aspect with cooler snow. Remember, even "smaller" slides can be dangerous in high-consequence terrain, such as above a terrain trap, trees, rocks, cliffs, or a long, large avalanche path.
