Mt Hood

Pleasant mid-December weekend weather is on tap with generally safe avalanche conditions expected.  However you travel over snow, you need to be prepared for firm, icy surfaces on most exposed slopes at middle and upper elevations. Ensure you have the proper traction and tools to reduce the chance of a long sliding fall.

On much of the upper mountain, the main story has been the firm, thick and in some places icy surface crust.  Observers on the south side of the mountain found that mild temperatures and filtered sun finally softened up the crust on Friday.  A public observation from the north side of the mountain on Thursday found something we haven't heard much about lately; dry snow above 7300'.  

If the pleasant weather forecast entices you to push higher on the mountain this weekend,  be ready for technical mountain travel at upper elevations.  Observers ( observation here)  have been reporting rockhard and variable surface conditions across the zone thanks to a stout rain crust extending to 10,000 ft (and maybe higher).  If you plan to travel at these elevations, be sure to pack the 'sharps kit,' including an ice axe and crampons to help you travel more efficiently and, most importantly, reduce the chance of a long sliding fall. Travel on snow at lower elevations is challenging due to low snow and discontinuous snow cover. 

On Wednesday, forecaster Joe Dellaporta traveled with our new intern observer Koby Yudkin in the Vista Ridge area. They found better travel conditions than what was initially anticipated at lower and middle elevations and bulletproof conditions above treeline. You can read the full observation here. 

While less likely, you may still find isolated pockets of soft snow at the upper elevations of Mt Hood, especially on shady northerly aspects. If you do, look for signs of unstable snow, such as shooting cracks or hollow-sounding snow. High freezing levels, mild temperatures and afternoon sunshine raise the risk of isolated small wet loose avalanches shedding from extreme terrain features like steep rocky faces and cliff bands.  Avoid spending time below these features. 

If you get up on the mountain, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation.