East Slopes South

The avalanche hazard will begin to rise Tuesday afternoon and increase further Tuesday night.  By the end of the day, rising ridgeline winds may form fresh, shallow wind slabs on lee slopes in higher terrain.  Use caution when approaching steep slopes where you find freshly drifted snow.   

Increasing SE winds on Tuesday should easily move around 1-3" of recent low density snow that fell Sunday and Sunday night. Feel for firm or hollow sounding snow as you travel higher in the terrain and change aspects. Watch for shooting cracks in the surface snow as a clear sign of instability.  Use caution when approaching open slopes steeper than 35 degrees; with a variety of weak snow grains found over the mid-January firm crust,  shallow slab avalanches may be easier to trigger than you expect. One of the photos in the gallery below shows surface hoar that was likely buried on Sunday in the neighboring Chinook Pass area. 

If you're traveling before winds increase or in wind-sheltered terrain, you may trigger small loose snow avalanches on very steep or extreme terrain features.  Small avalanches of any type can still cause you trouble when paired with terrain traps like cliff bands, thick trees, or exposed obstacles. 

At lower elevations, thin snow cover will also create challenging travel conditions. Expect plenty of exposed obstacles, open creeks,  and patches of bare ground. 

If you're out in the East South zone, let us know what you see by submitting an observation.  Your observation is a way to share information with the local community and improve this avalanche bulletin. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.