West Slopes North

Travel is challenging right now, with firm, variable snow surfaces found in most areas. Your largest avalanche concern is the small chance of avalanches running from steep, smooth rock slabs or large cornices falling onto slopes beneath them. Move quickly through areas where you note these overhead hazards. 

The last reports of large avalanches were from before the weekend. On the weekend, backcountry users encountered small wet loose avalanches occurring in the couple inches of snow we received Thursday night at upper elevations. On southerly aspects the sun has already done its part transitioning the last snowfall into a firm crust layer. For other aspects, you may still find a shallow soft layer above the thick surface crust. 

Large glide cracks and “wrinkled” snow surfaces abound in rocky, rugged terrain. These features indicate where the entire snowpack is slipping on the smooth ground below and could potentially avalanche. Even with low danger, there is still a chance one or more of these could sporadically release in isolated terrain features. The likelihood is greatest on sun-warmed slopes near treeline, but glide avalanches can release at any time. Identify and minimize time spent below these features, cornices, or anything else that looks unstable and poorly attached to the rest of the slope. 

Expect difficult travel conditions on frozen, uneven surfaces. If you haven’t made it to the mountains since the rain and subsequent high pressure that took over, be prepared to see a very different environment. Exposed rocks, glide cracks, open creeks, and a rough snow surface all present new hazards to avoid.