White Pass

Weather

jamesminifie · Mar 28, 2017 · White Pass East

View on map

Quick report

Weather
warm, cloudy, sunny
Ride Type
alpineSlopes, mellowSlopes
Stayed Away
convexSlopes, steepSlopes
Riding Quality
Good
Snow Conditions
windAffected, powder
Avalanche Conditions
avalancheConditionTemp

10-15cm of new snow with little to no wind affect except at high exposed features where soft wind slab was present on N thru NE aspects. Recent loading has been minimal and not sufficient to trigger deeper persistent weaknesses. As such, we continued to pull back from and avoid steeper, larger, connected avalanche terrain. New snow was sticking well to buried surfaces. Overall, there is less reactivity than in recent weeks and there doesn't seem to be as much penned-up energy in the snowpack. However, until we get some deep penetrating melt/freeze cycles, I will continue to avoid large avalanche terrain. I am starting to get the feeling that aggressive, steep skiing may not be in the cards for this season. We shall see...... As a side note, WP & YR has lowed the tracks almost right thru now. If you plan to try and access the East side, bring your steel shovel as there in a solid berm to deal with. James and Matt.

Weather

without moderation from cloud cover, solar affect would have been intense and rapid given the already warm temperatures. A warm, sunny day could be the trigger solar aspects need to cycle once again on the February pwls.

Snowpack

10-15cm of new snow with little to no wind affect except at high exposed features where soft wind slab was present on N thru Ne aspects. Recent loading has been minimal and not sufficient to trigger deeper persistent weaknesses. As such, we continued to pull back from and avoid steeper, larger, connected avalanche terrain. New snow was sticking well to buried surfaces. Overall, there is less reactivity than in recent weeks and there doesn't seem to be as much penned-up energy in the snowpack. However, until we get some deep penetrating melt/freeze cycles, I will continue to avoid large avalanche terrain. I am starting to get the feeling that aggressive, steep skiing may not be in the cards for this season. We shall see......