Turnagain Pass

The north winds have ravaged the upper elevations. We continue to hear of parties feeling collapsing and whoomphing on ridgelines and some able to trigger slabs 2-6″ thick. These slabs may be shallow but they are stiff and can be dangerous if triggered in ‘no fall’ zones (i.e., over cliffs). Since most of the higher terrain has significant wind affect, you are likely to find many areas with a breakable and annoying wind crust along with the scattered areas of wind slab. Unsupported slopes are the most concerning (see the second photo for an example of this). Our unusually cool spring has allowed the facets below these slabs to persist and wintertime cold snow issues to remain above treeline.

Photo is of Graham Predeger monitoring the breakable wind crust Saturday that covers most upper elevation slopes. This is near the top of the Burns glacier ~4,000ft.

Below treeline today, and on southerly aspects with little wind, you can expect the crusty surfaces to warm up late in the day. The cool temperatures and breeze may keep warming limited, however if you do come across a slope with more than 6 inches of mushy wet snow avoid it. If this is the case triggering a wet loose snow avalanche is quite possible and can entrain a lot of heavy snow and run far.

Below is a photo from Saturday. The wet avalanche activity is a few days old (from Tues/Wed) but the picture demonstrates what our mountains look like and the variable nature of the snow conditions.

The much anticipated “shed cycle” has not produced yet and maybe this will be one of those years we don’t really see it. The cool northerly flow and clear nights has kept the pack from warming up. However, we do have a warmer system moving in this week so keep your eye out any avalanche activity associated with this.