West Slopes South

Warm sunny days and long clear nights continue to cycle the snowpack through melting and freezing. This has created generally safe avalanche conditions and somewhat predictable surface snow. Expect firm icy slopes in the morning that soften in steeper sunny terrain during the day.

Over a week of sunshine and warm temperatures made the snowpack and mountains look, feel, and act more like May than mid-January. Repeated melt-freeze cycles formed a firm crust on nearly every surface. This layer is thicker at lower elevations and on sunny slopes. However, the results are pretty much the same everywhere: a strong, stable snowpack.

In the morning, the snow may be very firm, or even icy. Simple slips could turn into long, uncontrolled falls in the wrong terrain or for the unwary traveler. The sun should soften steep southerly slopes during the day. By the afternoon, you might be able to push small piles of wet loose snow, but probably only if you really try. Otherwise, any avalanche hazard should be relegated to a rogue cornice or chunk of snow collapsing somewhere across the zone. Even though it’s generally safe, pay attention to what’s above you and be mindful of not taking a break under overhead hazards. 

The greatest hazard on Wednesday will likely be travel. Icy slopes, bare ground, exposed rocks, open creeks, grabby buses, irregular snow, downed logs, random hopes, scary cracks, and trippy trees all make even simple common travel much more challenging. Expect to take extra time dealing with a thinning snowpack and extra travel obstacles.