Eastside Region

LOW Avalanche danger continues. Variable and perilous “slide-for-life” conditions are the greatest hazards in the backcountry. Be on the lookout for heating of snow surfaces and rockfall on W-SW-S-SE Aspects at ALL ELEVATIONS.

It’s getting quite difficult to write something interesting or different as the weather has remained high and dry for 6 weeks now.  We’re in a bonafide drought with no precipitation in sight. Besides some gnarly north wind events, 2022 been for the most part mild with cold clear nights and very dry with no new snow or avalanche danger. Firm and very hard conditions in the alpine environment with spring like surface conditions forming on southerly aspects have been about the extent of change.

Wednesday, once again, will produce plenty of solar input and warm temperatures to affect the sunny aspects. Northeasterly winds will blow at moderate to strong velocities in the upper elevations and will aid in keeping warming of surfaces in check. Recent observations from southerly and easterly terrain in the 8-10000ft range have not found any significant loose-wet concerns. The best chance for finding unsupportable snow is either in shallow areas, or sheltered East & West aspects that are  receiving heat with the longer days and more intense sun angles. Most southerly aspects have now baked down and consolidated during our lengthy drought. Confined and tight southerly terrain will be where rock fall presents the primary hazard.

Snow surfaces in the alpine environments are firm, eroded and undercut by upslope winds. Touring in the Eastern Sierra is all about the adventure right now, and travelers should be cognizant of exposure to cliffs or where a fall on smooth and firm slopes may be un-recoverable. Ski mountaineering equipment (ice axe, whippet, crampons & helmet) are mandatory parts of the kit if venturing in the alpine.  Despite all this gloom and doom, softening solar aspects and faceting surfaces within sheltered northerly trees still have been providing intrepid riders some fun, soft turns out there… and part of the fun is trying to find it.