Please think, and re-think sled plans for this weekend.
SPECIAL AVALANCHE STATEMENT FOR THE OLYMPICS WASHINGTON CASCADES
AND MT HOOD AREA
NORTHWEST WEATHER AND AVALANCHE CENTER SEATTLE WASHINGTON
230 PM PDT FRI JAN 04 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-ORZ011-051700-
OLYMPICS-
WEST SLOPES NORTH CASCADES AND PASSES-
WEST SLOPES CENTRAL CASCADES AND PASSES-
SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES-
EAST SLOPES NORTHERN CASCADES-
EAST SLOPES CENTRAL CASCADES OF WASHINGTON-
EAST SLOPES SOUTHERN CASCADES OF WASHINGTON-
NORTH OREGON CASCADES-
230 PM PST FRI JAN O4 2008
...CONSIDERABLE CAUTION ADVISED IN STEEPER AVALANCHE TERRAIN ON
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY...ESPECIALLY SNOWMOBILERS AND LARGER
GROUPS...
An increasing danger from new and generally smaller wind slabs
and a continuing potential for more isolated but much deeper
slabs are expected this weekend in the Olympics, Washington
Cascades and Mt Hood areas. Recent field reports indicate that
isolated slabs ranging up to 8 ft deep continue to be triggered
in some areas, with the most recent large slab release reported
along the east slopes of the central Washington Cascades on
Wednesday. During the last week several large slabs ranging up
to 12 feet have occurred, some releasing naturally and some
triggered by skiers. With the promise of more new snow, low
freezing levels and some partial clearing late Saturday and
Sunday, back country travelers should temper the lure of the
untracked with the knowledge that such large releases will not
allow for mistakes. With the potential for large slabs
increasing proportional to the load on buried weak layers, this
statement is most applicable to snowmobilers and larger groups.
Also, owing to a generally shallower and weaker snowpack east of
the Cascade crest, this deep slab potential should be greatest
along the Cascade east slopes. Highmarking can be a great and
exhilarating activity, but be sure that this weekend does not
make it your last high mark.
$$
Backcountry travelers should be aware that elevation and
geographic distinctions are approximate and that a transition
zone between dangers exists. Remember there are avalanche safe
areas in the mountains during all levels of avalanche danger.
Contact local authorities in your area of interest for further
information.
NWAC weather data and forecasts are also available by calling
206-526-6677 for Washington, 503-808-2400 for the Mt Hood area,
or by visiting our Web site at www.nwac.us.
xxxx/Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center
$$
SPECIAL AVALANCHE STATEMENT FOR THE OLYMPICS WASHINGTON CASCADES
AND MT HOOD AREA
NORTHWEST WEATHER AND AVALANCHE CENTER SEATTLE WASHINGTON
230 PM PDT FRI JAN 04 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-ORZ011-051700-
OLYMPICS-
WEST SLOPES NORTH CASCADES AND PASSES-
WEST SLOPES CENTRAL CASCADES AND PASSES-
SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES-
EAST SLOPES NORTHERN CASCADES-
EAST SLOPES CENTRAL CASCADES OF WASHINGTON-
EAST SLOPES SOUTHERN CASCADES OF WASHINGTON-
NORTH OREGON CASCADES-
230 PM PST FRI JAN O4 2008
...CONSIDERABLE CAUTION ADVISED IN STEEPER AVALANCHE TERRAIN ON
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY...ESPECIALLY SNOWMOBILERS AND LARGER
GROUPS...
An increasing danger from new and generally smaller wind slabs
and a continuing potential for more isolated but much deeper
slabs are expected this weekend in the Olympics, Washington
Cascades and Mt Hood areas. Recent field reports indicate that
isolated slabs ranging up to 8 ft deep continue to be triggered
in some areas, with the most recent large slab release reported
along the east slopes of the central Washington Cascades on
Wednesday. During the last week several large slabs ranging up
to 12 feet have occurred, some releasing naturally and some
triggered by skiers. With the promise of more new snow, low
freezing levels and some partial clearing late Saturday and
Sunday, back country travelers should temper the lure of the
untracked with the knowledge that such large releases will not
allow for mistakes. With the potential for large slabs
increasing proportional to the load on buried weak layers, this
statement is most applicable to snowmobilers and larger groups.
Also, owing to a generally shallower and weaker snowpack east of
the Cascade crest, this deep slab potential should be greatest
along the Cascade east slopes. Highmarking can be a great and
exhilarating activity, but be sure that this weekend does not
make it your last high mark.
$$
Backcountry travelers should be aware that elevation and
geographic distinctions are approximate and that a transition
zone between dangers exists. Remember there are avalanche safe
areas in the mountains during all levels of avalanche danger.
Contact local authorities in your area of interest for further
information.
NWAC weather data and forecasts are also available by calling
206-526-6677 for Washington, 503-808-2400 for the Mt Hood area,
or by visiting our Web site at www.nwac.us.
xxxx/Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center
$$
Last edited:
AVY class in cle elum, tomarrow at the forest service buildings think it starts at 9;00 there is a fee , speaker is from N W avy center.............call Mick for reservations, 1 206 949 7837 cel phone....................
