Olympics

Once again, an elevated rain/snow line limits snow and wind drifts you can trigger to upper elevations. Note the rain/snow line as you ascend and steer around steep slopes with actively drifting snow. Early season conditions still exist, so prepare for open creeks and barely-covered rocks, stumps, and logs on most elevations and aspects.

Around 0.8" of water equivalent arrived at Hurricane Ridge late on Christmas day into the night. The precipitation ended cooler, with 1.5" of snow burying a refreezing Boxing Day crust. The snow was blown around by strong SW winds that knocked over trash cans (see photo gallery). This dry snow likely won't stick around with a warm front bringing rain to the higher ridgelines once again. Snow levels should drop to around 5500 ft by Wednesday afternoon, so expect shallow slabs to form as this snow arrives with moderate SSW winds. Note the rain/snow line and the degree of snow transport in your terrain. Use a pole to check the amount of new snow above a newly forming crust.  Remember that an isolated wind slab knocking you off your feet increases your risk of injury during given shallow snowpacks. At lower elevations and during the morning hours, you may find rain falling on snow. If you encounter poorly consolidated snow that you can sink into past your ankle, stay off of steep slopes where you might be able to trigger a small wet avalanche.

In most of the terrain, travel hazards remain your biggest challenge. Early season conditions and hazards exist at lower elevations, on wind-stripped aspects, on all typically sun-affected slopes, and along ridgelines. Rocks, roots, grass, and stumps will exacerbate any fall on ice or potentially a small avalanche. Observers reported that N-NE aspects held the deepest snow along with your best chance for continuous on-snow travel as of last weekend. You can also see this in the photo Poma Bowl in the gallery.

We know some of you will be out enjoying the backcountry - please take a few minutes and share what you're seeing through an observation.