Potential avalanche danger in North Cascades and Olympics this weekend

An alert has been issued about the potential danger of avalanches in the backcountry this weekend.

The Northwest Avalanche Center is warning that the avalanche danger across the North Cascades and the Olympic Mountains is “considerable.”

Just two weeks, conditions were “moderate” when 2023′s deadliest avalanche happened near Leavenworth.

The avalanche risk was even greater today.  And everyone we met here was well-aware, having fun, and well-prepared.

“Beacons on at the car, off at the bar,” said Mike Mayen, laughing. “You heard it here first, folks.”

This fun-loving group of mostly experienced backcountry skiers was happy to show the emergency equipment they were wearing just in case.

After all, they said they had read the forecast put out by the Northwest Avalanche Center before venturing out.

“It said it was a ‘considerable’ day up high,” Mayen, of Seattle, said, “and I think down low is more ‘moderate.’ So, we stayed in the trees. We did. We didn’t go an inch above the trees today.”

Still, even they witnessed a snowslide headed their way.

“So, we were here just under the tree, just under where the trees are at,” said Lico Salinas, Seattle. “But it wasn’t that big. But I think if it had been a whole lot bigger, I’d be like ‘Holy crap, what do I do?’”

Sunday will mark two weeks since the deadliest avalanche so far this year happened near Leavenworth. Three climbers, all of them from the Northeastern U.S., died trying to ascend the northeast couloir at Colchuck Peak.

The fatalities happened even though the avalanche danger then was deemed “moderate,” just below “considerable.”

“The definition of considerable is human-triggered avalanches are likely,” said Henry Coppolillo, “natural avalanches are possible.”

Coppolillo, a professional ski guide on the second of a three-day backcountry course.  He knows all too well the joys and risks of being in the backcountry, including avalanches.

“Near and below tree line we found nice sheltered, powdered skiing with pretty low avalanche hazard,” Coppolillo said. “It was a great day to be out if you pick the right terrain.”

And he, and everyone we met, apparently did just that.

Most of all they shared the experience, and probably the best reminder of all, is not to venture out into the backcountry, alone.

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