Turnagain Pass

Yesterday at least one new glide avalanche was observed. What was most notable was that new cracks continue to appear and grow. The West facing terrain on Cornbiscuit now is littered with small, progressing cracks that make it essentially un-skinnable. Magnum West face and South face both have growing cracks and even Sunburst’s “mini” glide crack is getting more pronounced. This all indicates snow on the move. Pick your route carefully in the 1000′-2500′ elevation band.

This current wet snowpack, combined with mostly sunny skies and temperatures above freezing, has us continuing to think glide activity is likely. Our message remains the same: AVOID being under glide cracks and respective runout zones. To be in the wrong place at the wrong time when a glide releases could likely be deadly. Considering the motorized up-track is threatened by cracks, we are recommending that people do not travel on the up-track or in runout areas along Seattle Ridge.

Cornbiscuit  glide cracks. 4/16

Wet loose avalanches have been occurring for the past few days. These have been naturally occurring with warm temperatures, rain and direct sunlight affecting surface snow and mostly confined to the 1000′-2500′ elevation band. Expect more of the same today and potentially an increase with clearing skies. The few inches of new snow that fell over the past few days above 2000′ is primed if heated enough and lower elevation snow is completely saturated. Human triggering a wet loose avalanche in steep terrain is likely. Pay attention to ski penetration and punchy snow as well as roller balls both natural and travel initiated. Remember wet loose avalanches can be hard to escape once initiated and particularly hazardous if they push you into a terrain trap. Take into account what terrain is above you and what you may have to cross under to get back to your car when venturing to cooler snow in the Alpine.

Wet loose activity on Seattle Ridge with glide cracks and old glide avalanches. 

At elevations above 2,500′ and in the Alpine the snowpack is generally stable. There are a few things to watch for if traveling in the upper elevations:

– Lingering wind slabs that could be triggered in steep, unsupported terrain. 

– Cornice falls (we have yet to see cornices start falling in the Alpine but this could happen any day with the warm temperatures and direct sunlight).

– Wet loose avalanches on steep solar aspects, both natural and human triggered. These have been predominantly confined to the 1000′-2500′ elevation band but this may change and be higher with heating throughout the next two days.