West Slopes North

A combination of overhead hazards and daytime warming could produce isolated avalanche activity on Thursday. Small wet loose avalanches are possible on all aspects during the warmest part of the day. Watch for locally greater danger in alpine terrain below cornices and glide cracks. Keep track of what’s above you and limit exposure as temperatures rise.

Wet avalanche activity should be limited this week after last weekend’s stretch of very warm days and nights, followed by cooler temperatures, freezing, and consolidation. You may still see small pockets of wet snow shedding from rocky terrain and cliffs during the warmest part of the day, and it’s possible to push some wet snow downhill when descending or traversing very steep slopes.

The only place you could see a larger avalanche is in alpine terrain above 5000 feet. Cornices are large and, at those elevations, haven’t yet been affected by the same prolonged warming and rain seen lower down. Glide cracks remain widespread in areas like Boston Basin, where sections of snowpack are slowly slipping over smooth rock. Glide avalanches can also release on glacial ice bed surfaces.

Stay tuned to general mountain hazards as the day warms and take a slightly more conservative route to avoid being in the wrong place at the wrong time. For example, spend a few extra minutes taking "the long cut" to avoid traveling directly under—or directly on top of!—sagging cornices. Don’t spend extended time ascending beneath glide cracks or cliffs still holding wet snow, especially during the warmest part of the day. Small route adjustments can significantly reduce your overall risk.

Be prepared for firm surfaces first thing in the morning, and make sure you have the proper traction tools before crossing steep, firm, or even icy slopes.