Olympics

While generally safe avalanche conditions are expected Tuesday, another 24 hours of mild conditions should keep you on your toes and thinking about where wet snow avalanches might occur.  Terrain with large overhanging cornices and with snow clinging to steep rock faces can fail without warning during prolonged periods of mild weather.   

It's been a remarkably mild stretch of weather since Spring sprung.  Freezing levels have generally stayed well above the high peaks and many cloudy nights have hindered solid surface refreezes.  Over the weekend, NPS rangers noted minimal wet loose avalanche activity in the immediate Hurricane Ridge area, but observed more recent widespread wet loose avalanches over in the Bailey Range. 

The upper snowpack has started its transition to a spring snowpack, replacing a layered cold snowpack with large melt-freeze grains of varying strength regardless of aspect or elevation. That said, NPS rangers over the weekend were still able to find a few areas in a state of transition on N and E aspects with drier snow sandwiched between crusts in the upper snowpack.  

Continue to think about wet snow avalanches as you travel. If you encounter areas where you find wet punchy snow, you may trigger a wet loose avalanche on very steep slopes. Monitor the slopes above you for any overhanging hazard. Cornices are soft, sagging, and prone to failure without warning. Snow and ice on rocks and cliffs will also shed without warning and could trigger a small avalanche on the slopes below.

Be prepared to navigate spring-related travel hazards like open creeks, rocks and trees.

2021-22 Forecast Schedule: Avalanche danger ratings will be issued for the Olympics every Friday through Sunday and during mid-week holidays. During the week when the Hurricane Ridge road is closed, forecast information will be updated daily to include expected conditions and relevant travel advice under the No Rating label.