Avy conditions in N cascades??

[JoshK]

I was thinking about heading up Ruth Creek (near Mt. Shuksan) tomorrow. I know the steep sides of this valley are a slide risk, so I'm wary of tomorrow's warming after the recent snow. It seems the snow was heaviest further south however. Has anybody been near enough to make an educated guess on what I might find? With how much $$ it costs just to drive somewhere, i'm trying to avoid burning gas just to go somewhere and turn around.

[jhamaker]

I trust the bond below 5000 feet for the last two storms, but above that? I've seen the results of climax slides all over the N Cascades last wk. 2ft staunch walls. I don't understand the mechanism so I'm warry.

 

"Climbing to higher elevations . . . over the next few days is not recommended."

 

The NWAC released a new report Tue:

 

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE STATEMENT FOR THE OLYMPICS WASHINGTON

CASCADES AND MT HOOD AREA

NORTHWEST WEATHER AND AVALANCHE CENTER SEATTLE WASHINGTON

1215 PM PDT TUE JUN 10 2008

 

. . .

 

This statement applies to back country avalanche terrain below

7000 feet and does not apply to highways or operating ski

areas.

 

WAZ513-518-519-019-042-501-502-ORZ011-112100-

 

&&

 

...SPECIAL AVALACHE STATEMENT FOR TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...

 

The unusually cool and wet spring in the Pacific Northwest has

continued over the past several days. Snow levels lowered to

below 3000 feet in the central Washington Cascades early

Tuesday with 8 inches of new snow accumulating at Snoqualmie

Pass! New snow amounts as of Tuesday morning are ranging from

about 4 to 14 inches with the most new snow recorded at

Paradise on Mt Rainier. Over the past week, Paradise has

received about 30 inches of new snow! While most other areas

above about 5000 feet near or west of the Cascade crest and in

the Olympics likely received 1 to 2 feet of snow.

 

This new snow has been accompanied by very strong winds as

well. This has likely created new cornices along ridges and

developed local unstable wind slabs on lee mostly northeast to

southeast facing slopes, especially higher terrain near

ridges. The unusual June weather has lead to some winter-like

avalanche conditions above about 5000 feet in the Cascades and

Olympics.

 

Back country travelers should be extra cautious and expect

unstable snow conditions, especially in areas that have

received the greatest new snow amounts and on steep slopes

that have received wind transported snow.

 

The weather should begin improving Wednesday with mostly

cloudy conditions early with increasing sun breaks expected

later Wednesday and rising freezing levels. Sunshine and

further rising freezing levels are expected Thursday with

freezing levels reaching 9 to 11,000 feet in the north and

south respectively by Thursday afternoon. This expected

weather should cause an increase in the avalanche danger,

especially late Wednesday and again Thursday as the recent

snow quickly becomes wet and unstable due to the affects of

the sunshine and warming. Wet loose and possibly wet slab

avalanches should become likely later Wednesday and again

Thursday, with some slides entraining significant snow as they

descend.

 

Back country travelers should avoid steep slopes over the next

few days and remain aware of the terrain both above and below

intended travel routes as those caught in avalanches can be

carried into terrain traps such as trees, gullies or

crevasses. Many avalanche fatalities have occurred in the

spring in the Northwest from wet snow avalanches, especially

on the volcanic peaks. Climbing to higher elevations on the

volcanoes over the next few days is not recommended.

 

This statement will be updated as warranted. Please have a

safe and enjoyable spring!

 

&&

 

Backcountry travelers should be aware that elevation and

geographic distinctions are approximate and that a transition

zone between dangers exists. Remember there are avalanche

safe areas in the mountains during all levels of avalanche

danger. Contact local authorities in your area of interest

for further information.

 

NWAC weather data and forecasts are also available by calling

206-526-6677 for Washington, 503-808-2400 for the Mt Hood

area, or by visiting our Web site at www.nwac.us. Also note

that field snowpack information is often available on the FOAC

website at www.avalanchenw.org, and weather and avalanche

glossaries for commonly used terms in the forecasts can be

found on the NWAC education page.

 

Kramer/Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center

 

$$

 

 

 

[JoshK]

Thanks alot, for some reason the NWAC reports weren't loading for me earlier and I could only find one for a week ago

 

I was thinking it would be a bit more sketchy than I would be comfortable with. Maybe there are some mid-elevation areas around Snoq Pass that still hold good skiing...