Avalanche conditions seem quiet but the weak snow still lurks near the ground. While riding my snowmachine Friday, I came to a stop. Two more riders approached and stopped. Two more riders were approaching when the snowpack collapsed, WHOOMP!, and we all felt the snow drop an inch or two below us. This is the Persistent Weak Layer of snow that formed early season and is still a concern. It is quite unusual to be experiencing collapsing like this still this late in the season. Again, things seem quiet as far as avalanches and it seems somewhat unlikely to trigger something but these collapses I've experienced this week along with poor snowpit test results don't give me a whole lot of faith in the snowpack.

I'm a little bit concerned about wet avalanche activity today. Ultimately, I don't think it'll be a serious issue but it's enough of a concern to mention. Things were really pretty sloppy in the mid and lower elevations on Friday. With mild temperatures overnight, the snow may not have frozen up much. Add in the fact that there is weak sugary snow near the ground and all this warming may make things unstable to the point of seeing wet avalanches gouge deep to the ground. Given the weak snowpack, wet snow avalanches are going to be a concern during any significant warm up through the spring.

I would avoid steep slopes where the snowpack is wet and sloppy. If your feet are punching through to the ground, avoid being on or below steep slopes. This includes traveling through steep gullies and ravines.