At upper elevations, you may be able to trigger slab avalanches where you find new snow. Travel cautiously around steep terrain features where the wind has blown the snow into pillow-like drifts in open terrain or near ridges. You may see small loose avalanches on steep sun-exposed slopes.
Above 5000ft precipitation mostly fell as snow and moderate to strong winds built wind slabs on lee aspects. Look for signs of wind deposited snow on open slopes and near ridges. If you see signs of cracking, experience whumphing collapses, or the snow feels hollow, you should steer around steep terrain features.
(12/29/2021)
Example of a small wind slab from December on Delancey Ridge.
Photo: Will Govus
Watch for small triggered and natural avalanches on steep, sun-exposed slopes that hold new snow. These avalanches will be most likely near treeline. The sun may warm and weaken recent snow throughout the day. Watch for slides coming from overhead terrain. Rollerballs, new wet avalanches, or moist snow that slides easily are all signs of the danger. If you see this, move to shadier or lower-angled terrain.
(1/20/2022)
Debris from a very large D3 avalanche, containing trees. Likely ran around January 12 in the neighboring East Central zone.
Photo: Josh Hirshberg
Crusts and moist snow cap the snowpack on many slopes. Above 6,000ft you may find enough new snow accumulation to soften the travel conditions and potentially create avalanche danger. As travel conditions have been difficult, information is limited. If you're in the mountains, let us know what you see by submitting an observation.
