East Slopes North

Prepare for icy, firm surfaces in the morning and warm, wet snow in the afternoon. Wet avalanches are difficult to trigger, but not impossible. Move off steep slopes before you sink deeply into wet snow, and limit your time immediately below cornices. 

The snow surface will change throughout the day, from frozen first thing in the morning to slushy in the afternoon heat. Bring traction equipment, like crampons (ski/boot), to prevent an uncontrolled fall on steep, frozen slopes. The eastern aspects will soften and warm up first, and later the western aspects. The sun will even warm the northeast and northwest aspects. On Friday, developing thin clouds may slightly reduce surface melting. While avalanches are currently unlikely, there are still hazards to consider.

Cornices are very large and overhang many ridges. Make sure not to walk on them, and minimize the time you spend under them. Cornices and snow shedding from steep rocks and cliffs could trigger avalanches in overhead terrain. There's a slight chance that you could trigger small wet avalanches if you find areas of wet and unsupportive snow. If you're sinking into the snow up to the top of your boots, it's time to move to lower-angle terrain. Surfaces near Washington Pass have seen solid overnight freezes with clear skies since the 7th. There have been temperature inversions, and some upper elevation slopes haven't seen many hours below freezing.

On Thursday, WSDOT forecasters reported solid freezes and supportive crusts on south aspects at middle and upper elevations. No new avalanches have been reported since roughly the 5th. On the 7th, an NWAC forecaster reported firm surfaces in the morning that quickly warmed and became wet, with some areas becoming unsupportive. Surface crusts were weaker than those reported later in the week. From the 2nd through the 5th, wet avalanches occurred on all aspects and elevations. Most were small, but WSDOT forecasters reported large (D2) wet-loose slides on easterly aspects of Liberty Bell that likely occurred on the 4th or 5th.

The snowpack in the East North Zone is robust, and it hasn't yet fully transitioned to spring. Crusts cover all surfaces, but as you look deeper, northerly aspects haven't fully transitioned to melt forms. Many slopes hold considerable snow, including on steep cliffs and rock faces. The spring "shed" avalanche cycles have barely even begun near the Cascade crest. When we do see more prolonged warm temperatures, there's still significant snow that could fall, resulting in avalanches.

Snow cover is thin on southerly slopes and at low elevations. Be aware of exposed rocks and open creeks. WSDOT has begun plowing operations on Hwy 20 between Silver Star trailhead and Newhalem. The road will be closed to all traffic Monday through Thursday while workers and machinery are operating.