Olympics

Non-avalanche hazards such as slick surfaces, bare slopes, and rocks will be your primary concerns.  You may find corn snow and good riding conditions on aspects receiving sunshine. Steer around high consequence terrain if the snow becomes slushy.

The upper snowpack continues to undergo a freeze-thaw cycle with supportable crusts to start the day on all aspects. Avalanche activity has ground to a halt with only minor rollerballs reported in the last 7 days. A week-old small (D1) human-triggered avalanche was reported on Maggie's E face. Saturday was the warmest day of the week and observers reported no signs of avalanche activity. In recent days, shaded slopes are staying firm while sunny slopes are softening. We expect that with clouds and winds increasing on Sunday, you'll find minimal avalanche danger, but fewer aspects with corn snow and good riding conditions. Pockets of old wind-drifted snow below ridgelines are discontinuous and unreactive.  The thick late January crust may be under a few inches of old settled snow or scoured at the surface.  Below the 1/30 crust, there are no layers of concern in the snowpack. A recent observation from Klahanie Ridge sheds additional light on the current conditions.

Given the extended mild conditions, keep cornices on your mind if you find any that don't look well supported. Give them space when traveling along ridgelines. 

Glide cracks have opened in many typical avalanche start zones.  We are entering our 6th consecutive day of above freezing temperatures and water could be draining through the snowpack.  Glide avalanches are unlikely to release, but are very consequential if you are in the wrong place. Don't linger below these cracks.

Besides wet snow avalanche concerns, keep in mind the following non-avalanche related travel points:  

• Ridgelines and wind-exposed slopes, southerly aspects, and lower elevations may have exposed rocks and vegetation. Rocks may also be shallowly submerged. Rockfall has increased as steep slopes melt out, so always maintain awareness of the slopes above you.
• Where the 1/30 crust is exposed and firm, it may be slick and icy. Falls may be difficult to control, so assess your ability to self-arrest a fall before crossing a steep slope. In other areas, breakable crusts may create challenging riding conditions.
• Streams and creeks are opening up at lower elevations and some snow bridges may be weak during daytime warming.

2021-22 Forecast Schedule: Avalanche danger ratings will be issued for the Olympics every Friday through Sunday and during mid-week holidays. During the week when the Hurricane Ridge road is closed, forecast information will be updated daily to include expected conditions and relevant travel advice under the No Rating label.