Summit Lake

Avalanche problems

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  2–3

  Recent Avalanches: No new avalanches were reported over the weekend. After the wet and stormy weather last week, we saw less natural avalanche activity in Summit Lake compared to the surrounding areas due to lower precipitation totals. 

  While the wet and stormy weather last week likely helped to add some strength to the Summit Lake snowpack, the widespread weak layers buried 2 to 4' deep are still concerning. At lower elevations, where a supportable melt-freeze crust exists from last week's wet weather, the chances of triggering an avalanche on buried weak layers will be low. But as soon as you start to break through that crust and your weight impacts deeper layers in the snowpack, the potential for large human-triggered avalanches is still a major concern. 

  Based on the number of observations this season with massive collapses (whumphing) and widespread natural avalanches cycles we have seen after most major storms this winter, the Summit Lake snowpack should be treated as guilty until proven innocent. The generally thinner snow coverage and colder temperatures in Summit Lake have formed several potential buried weak layers, which could cause large human-triggered avalanches. We recommend sticking to simple, low-angle terrain that avoids terrain traps and overhead avalanche paths to reduce your exposure to this dangerous snowpack setup. 

  Wind Slabs: Moderate winds picked up in Summit Lake overnight, with an average of 15 mph and gusts up to 27 mph from the south. These gusty winds could form wind slabs 6 to 12" deep along ridgelines and exposed features at higher elevations. You can keep an eye out for shooting cracks and hollow feeling pillows of wind-drifted snow to identify locations with potential wind slabs.