White Pass Backcountry

It's hard to say exactly what the danger rating was, but you can tell that the snowpack is wet, unstable, and sitting right on the edge. The amount of recent avalanches was impressive for such a minor atmospheric river (AR). Traveling anywhere near a track or runout felt a bit like gambling. The slopes didn't seem likely to let go, but if they did, we certainly didn't want to be in their way. 

No cracking or collapsing.

Not surprisingly, after this last atmospheric river (AR), the snow surface is wet and soggy! Runnels, dimpling, and numerous rollerballs all highlight the effects from the rain Sunday-Monday night. Rain reached well above the top of Hogback Mt (~6700ft). With the very warm temperatures, this wet snow hasn't even begun to freeze. It was, however, more supportive than we expected. Ski penetration was about 4-6 inches (10-15cm) and boot penetration was closer to 8 inches (20cm), with the occasionally deeper posthole. 

The main wetting front form the rain was only about 8 inches (20cm) deep. Below this, the snowpack was surprisingly cold and dry. The dry upper snowpack was well settled, strong, and generally void of layers all the way down to the February AR crust. 

We were able to trigger some of the largest rollerballs I've ever seen today. Many would surely hurt you if they hit you. The largest measured 2.5ft wide by about 6-7 feet in diameter. Much bigger than me! They left deep trenches where they traveled and were a real hazard in their own right. We also triggered two small wet loose slides. While these avalanches were sluggish to get going, once they did, they entrained snow and ran far down the slope. 

Cornices: Many cornices are still barely hanging on. In three locations we found large crevasse like cracks behind these large waves of snow. They all seem like they might fall if you just loot at them wrong.