When cold, dry snow becomes wet for the first time, it almost always means wet sluffs (loose snow that fans outward as it descends).   Larger wet slab avalanches can happen when melt water percolates through a layered, winter snowpack for the first time especially after 3 days of strong melting combined with no refreeze at night.   Luckily, wet avalanches usually don't last forever because over time, days or weeks of percolating meltwater, all the layers in the snow disappear, and the snow becomes homogenous and dense, turning into a stable summer-like snowpack. Typically, this cycle of instability maturing into stability occurs first on the south-facing slopes in early spring, then progresses to the east and west-facing slopes in mid-spring, and finally, by late spring, the upper elevation north facing slopes go through a wet avalanche cycle.   Finally, glide avalanches occur regularly in spring as the entire snowpack slides slowly on the groun

When cold, dry snow becomes wet for the first time, it almost always means wet sluffs (loose snow that fans outward as it descends).   Larger wet slab avalanches can happen when melt water percolates through a layered, winter snowpack for the first time especially after 3 days of strong melting combined with no refreeze at night.   Luckily, wet avalanches usually don't last forever because over time, days or weeks of percolating meltwater, all the layers in the snow disappear, and the snow becomes homogenous and dense, turning into a stable summer-like snowpack. Typically, this cycle of instability maturing into stability occurs first on the south-facing slopes in early spring, then progresses to the east and west-facing slopes in mid-spring, and finally, by late spring, the upper elevation north facing slopes go through a wet avalanche cycle.   Finally, glide avalanches occur regularly in spring as the entire snowpack slides slowly on the groun

When cold, dry snow becomes wet for the first time, it almost always means wet sluffs (loose snow that fans outward as it descends).   Larger wet slab avalanches can happen when melt water percolates through a layered, winter snowpack for the first time especially after 3 days of strong melting combined with no refreeze at night.   Luckily, wet avalanches usually don't last forever because over time, days or weeks of percolating meltwater, all the layers in the snow disappear, and the snow becomes homogenous and dense, turning into a stable summer-like snowpack. Typically, this cycle of instability maturing into stability occurs first on the south-facing slopes in early spring, then progresses to the east and west-facing slopes in mid-spring, and finally, by late spring, the upper elevation north facing slopes go through a wet avalanche cycle.   Finally, glide avalanches occur regularly in spring as the entire snowpack slides slowly on the groun

When cold, dry snow becomes wet for the first time, it almost always means wet sluffs (loose snow that fans outward as it descends).   Larger wet slab avalanches can happen when melt water percolates through a layered, winter snowpack for the first time especially after 3 days of strong melting combined with no refreeze at night.   Luckily, wet avalanches usually don't last forever because over time, days or weeks of percolating meltwater, all the layers in the snow disappear, and the snow becomes homogenous and dense, turning into a stable summer-like snowpack. Typically, this cycle of instability maturing into stability occurs first on the south-facing slopes in early spring, then progresses to the east and west-facing slopes in mid-spring, and finally, by late spring, the upper elevation north facing slopes go through a wet avalanche cycle.   Finally, glide avalanches occur regularly in spring as the entire snowpack slides slowly on the groun

Weather looks benign for the remainder of the month with only small weather disturbances expected.  This will most likely lead to quiet avalanche conditions also. Here are two things to keep in mind though: WET AVALANCHES:  During periods of warm weather, the snowpack can become unstable.  What you want to look out for is overly wet, unconsolidated snow where your boots sink deep into the wet snow.  This indicates unstable conditions and you should avoid being on or below any steep slopes.  Also avoid being in deep gullies and ravines.  There are also Glide Cracks that have opened up around the range.  These can release at unpredictable times.  If you see these, avoid being below them. CORNICES:  There are some very large cornices around the range.  It is common to see these start to break off during springtime warming.  Avoid being on or below these monsters.  

Spring Time Avalanche Concerns   Timing is everything this time of year. Get in early and out early, both for the best snow conditions and to avoid the threat of loose, wet avalanches. Work slopes according to their aspect in relation to the sun and get off of steep slopes as they become wet and sloppy. If you find yourself sinking into wet snow above your ankles, you're out too late.    Loose Wet Avalanches are the most common springtime avalanche hazard as a strong sun and warm temps melt and soften the snow surface. Signs of instability include rollerballs, pinwheels, and "point release" sluffs that fan out and gather more snow as they travel down the slope.    Wet Slabs release when melt water saturates a layer in the snowpack and the over riding slab fails as a cohesive layer. Wet slab avalanches are harder to predict than loose wet slides, and outward signs of this problem are not obvious, but sloppy, wet, or punchy snow indicat