Sanchez Posted April 8, 2008 Posted April 8, 2008 Thought I'd poll the electorate on avalanche predictions for the coming warm weather this weekend. Too early to start thinking about spring slides, or supreme paranoia time? Thinking pretty hard about that rather ominous slog on the NE face of our favorite Oregon mountain, but not excited about being exposed to 3000 feet of warming snow on the slope above me. Quote
Ptown_Climber1 Posted April 9, 2008 Posted April 9, 2008 We're considering Wy East Friday night.....a little spooked by avy potential up high there also.....may opt out for a south side slog....we'll see. Quote
wayne Posted April 9, 2008 Posted April 9, 2008 Evey year people get clocked on the first warm day it seems. Who knows how active it will be?/ If you have to go up. Go Early Quote
Farrgo Posted April 9, 2008 Posted April 9, 2008 Not sure what it will be doing this weekend... but I've been hearing about lots and lots of wet slides from several people. Second that, go early. Also isn't Wy East even more avy prone than Leuthold's? Quote
letsroll Posted April 9, 2008 Posted April 9, 2008 I have heard several reports that the east side of the mountain has been really bad for snow loading this year. I would be very carefull heading over there. Reports basically have been knee deep to almost chest deep snow, ranging from powder to wast deep sugar. One party was via steel cliffs the other was via SS and went over to check out the east side slopes. Just keep your eyeballs open. Sunday would be the best day if you had to get out this weekend. Not sure if WyEast is more avi prone than Leutholds but I would not want to be on either slope, that is for sure. Quote
ivan Posted April 9, 2008 Posted April 9, 2008 wyeast faces the rising sun, so warms up and gets slide happy faster than luetholds which lurks in the long shades of the west face Quote
billcoe Posted April 9, 2008 Posted April 9, 2008 Spring warm weather is finally gonna hit the high country Friday, as it's been dumping right now and has for about a week, there should be some massive interesting wet slides on most slopes Fri- and Sat don't ya think. Nice call. Quote
Ptown_Climber1 Posted April 9, 2008 Posted April 9, 2008 Yeah, Wy East is definitely more prone to avalanching than Leutholds....looks like southside climb for us. The key is early departure...... Quote
Sanchez Posted April 9, 2008 Author Posted April 9, 2008 Looks like we are all on the same page. I might let this weekend play itself out and do something a little safer. Unfortunately what I'm afraid will happen is: sun and warm weather creates ice layer, April wet snow dump comes next week, then we have a classic recipe for slides. Oh well, it will never get perfect, I guess I should be happy we have lots of snow and a long season to look forward to. Quote
billbob Posted April 9, 2008 Posted April 9, 2008 Wx forecasts show sunny Thurs & Fri, thus might one reasonably expect adequate consolidation by Sat AM ? If something is going to slide, will things have settled out for relatively safe conditions by early Sat? You might also consider, what with the anticipated high weekend temps, a veritable butt-load of ice fall could be seen/felt in exposed places when the sun pops up. Quote
Robert Howell Posted April 10, 2008 Posted April 10, 2008 Wx forecasts show sunny Thurs & Fri, thus might one reasonably expect adequate consolidation by Sat AM ? If something is going to slide, will things have settled out for relatively safe conditions by early Sat? You might also consider, what with the anticipated high weekend temps, a veritable butt-load of ice fall could be seen/felt in exposed places when the sun pops up. I think that warm temps tomorrow AND Friday would make Saturday reasonable, but nothing is ever for certain. The warm temps and high freezing level would be something to take into account. I think an early start and something in the shade during the climb (i.e. Reid) would be worth checking out but not a guarantee. I do wonder about the descent down West Crater in the sun... Quote
rbw1966 Posted April 10, 2008 Posted April 10, 2008 Check the NW Avalanche Center's website: ZONE AVALANCHE FORECASTS * MT HOOD AREA Thursday: locally CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger above about 6000 feet on north through east facing slopes and on slopes receiving sunshine later morning and afternoon hours; otherwise MODERATE danger below 7000 feet Thursday night: danger decreasing overnight becoming MODERATE above 3 to 4000 feet and LOW below Friday: locally HIGH avalanche danger on sun exposed slopes late morning and afternoon hours and CONSIDERABLE danger on north through east exposures above about 6000 feet; otherwise increasing MODERATE danger below 7000 feet Friday night: danger decreasing overnight becoming MODERATE below 7000 feet http://www.nwac.us/products/SABOR Quote
Couloir Posted April 10, 2008 Posted April 10, 2008 No sense in wasting a hall pass with that forecast. Looks like it's Collins Beach for me! Quote
danhelmstadter Posted April 11, 2008 Posted April 11, 2008 sounds like it could be potentially dangerous up there. I heard meadows is installing an avi control cannon - to bomb the wyeast for control of heather canyon. Take cover if you here sirens! Quote
Robert Howell Posted April 11, 2008 Posted April 11, 2008 Looks like waiting until it cools down early next week is the only option. Quote
danhelmstadter Posted April 11, 2008 Posted April 11, 2008 (edited) this is a cool website for freezing levels - http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Mt-Hood-Meadows/6day/mid sounds like sunday moring would be the "best" time to go, but might still be too wet then. definetly a positive thread - good idea to get bros thinking about possibile shiite going down. Edited April 11, 2008 by danhelmstadter Quote
Tom_Sjolseth Posted April 13, 2008 Posted April 13, 2008 Summitted Hood via Hogsback this morning (4/12).. Conditions were OK during the night (we left the parking lot at 1:30AM), but a little bit warmer even than expected so postholing was a factor (for those without skis or shoes). We saw lots of folks booting it up and suffering (many turned back). We didn't hear any rumbling all day, just minor sluffs and ice pellets. Back down to the car at 10AM. What a beautiful day! Quote
Ptown_Climber1 Posted April 13, 2008 Posted April 13, 2008 We probably ran into you.....we left the Cave at 1:00, summited around a little after 8.........it was slow going on the traverse over to old chute.....lots of ice pellets flying.....I took a dinner plate in the back; my buddy left with a scratched, bloody nose....summit ridge seemed even airier than usual......all in all a good time had by all. That pitcher of IPA sure tasted good afterwards. Quote
steepconcrete Posted April 14, 2008 Posted April 14, 2008 mt Washington went HUDGE!! in 2 separate slides on the NE side. i think my friend got a pic, ill try and post it. Quote
danhelmstadter Posted April 14, 2008 Posted April 14, 2008 definatly differant conditions than I expected, ascended old chute and skiied leutholds. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.