We are in the status quo period of spring with cold nights and warm days. The snowpack is generally strong, but we still have things to watch for. Wet snow avalanches will be possible at all elevations as the sun and warm temperatures heat up the snow surface. Wet slushy snow can move downhill fast on steep slopes; most wet snow avalanches will be small, but small avalanches can lead to long falls in sustained steep terrain. Natural cornice breaks will also be possible; being hit by a cornice is easy to avoid by staying out from under them.
Many of the cornices have fallen down but there are still some hanging on at the ridgetops. Sun and warm temperatures can weaken cornices and cause them to break. Stay out from under them, especially during the warmest time of the day.
Archive Photo: Aaron Hartz
Cornice debris can be large!
Similar to previous days, this depends on how much the snow surface warms up. Keep an eye on the surface and how the sun/warming is affecting it. If the snow becomes wet and slushy, then wet loose avalanches can happen. These will mostly be small. The real concern is wet loose avalanches in sustained steep terrain. Wet heavy snow moving on steep slopes can pick up a lot of speed and can knock you off your feet and send you for a tumble or into terrain traps such as rocks and cliffs. This problem will be more likely on steep slopes in the direct sun and at the lower elevations where the daytime high temperature will get into the upper 40's.
Archive Photo: Aaron Hartz
Wet loose avalanches in steep terrain.
