Olympics

Avalanche problems

• 

  Wet Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Likely

  Size

  1.5–2.5

  We had ANOTHER day of mostly rain on Monday before a switch to snow early in the afternoon at Hurricane Ridge.  With more rain expected later tonight and tomorrow and water percolating deep in the snowpack, we can't rule out wet slab or glide avalanches in isolated areas even if peak wet avalanche activity has long passed. 

  With unstable wet snow, the snowpack can continue to peel apart resulting in several rounds of avalanches and blocks of snow shedding from steep rocky faces. It can even be hard to pin down exactly which type of wet problem you may encounter: wet slab, glide, loose wet, or cornice. In all cases, these slides tend to be larger, more powerful, and difficult to predict. You don’t want to be under one of these slopes if it fails. Limit any time you spend traveling underneath large avalanche paths or corniced ridgelines.  Unique slopes with smooth bed surfaces can avalanche to ground (see photos) at any time during these extended mild and rainy periods.   

  With some snow overnight before a change to rain late tonight/Tuesday morning, you may see rollerballs or small wet loose avalanches Tuesday.  Make sure these small avalanches don't knock you over near terrain traps, like near creek holes or exposed rocks/stumps. If you find yourself sinking in deeper than your ankles, move to lower angle slopes.