One of the primary concerns in the backcountry remains the challenging approach-to-the-snow conditions from the parking lot. With little to no snow below 1,500′, ascending and descending over very slick ice covered ground can get interesting. However, winter does exist in full fashion above 2,500′ and quality riding and skiing conditions can be had.
There is one potential game changer for later today, however. The wind. Winds are on tap to shift to the North this morning and increase just enough to move snow around by this afternoon. If you are out in the ‘winter-zone’ today, keep tabs on the winds and know that loading patterns may be different than expected as this is not a typical wind direction.
With 4-6″ of loose snow blanketing the surface, including ridgelines, there is plenty of snow available for forming soft 6-8″ wind slabs. These will be easy to identify as you will likely see them forming or by looking for smooth rounded surface textures. Stiffer feeling snow and cracking is also a sign you have found a wind slab. If slabs do form, they are likely to be relatively small and shallow yet sensitive to human triggers.
Glide Avalanches –
Glide cracks continue to slowly open across the forecast zone. Limiting time spent around and under these is crucial. Even though it is cold, they are still known to release producing a destructive avalanche – as can be seen in the photo below. Most suspect terrain are unsupported slopes where there is limited compressive support for the slab from below. Eddies is a great example of this as the South face gets steeper mid and lower-slope.
Recent glide avalanche (suspected past 48 hours). Eddies South face, ~2,700′.
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