LAHAUL Avalanche Forecast — 18 January 2026
Bottom line
Wind slabs are the main concern above 4,500 m. Leeward slopes and ridgelines hold touchy pockets. Avoid steep loaded features and overhead hazard.
Danger rating by elevation (meters)
Reasoning: WRITE 1–3 LINES HERE. Example: “Recent wind transport has built reactive slabs above 4,500 m. Lower elevations are more sheltered and showing better bonding.”
Avalanche problems
Problem 1: Wind Slab
Where: WRITE WHERE. Example: “Leeward slopes near ridgelines, convex rollovers, cross-loaded gullies.”
Elevation band(s): 4,000–5,000 m; 5,000–6,000 m
Likelihood: Possible
Expected size: Small–Medium
What’s driving it: WRITE WHY THIS PROBLEM EXISTS TODAY (wind + snowfall + loading pattern).
Field clues:
- WRITE CLUE (e.g., active drifting / blowing snow)
- WRITE CLUE (e.g., shooting cracks / hollow feel)
- WRITE CLUE (e.g., fresh cornices / recent slab releases)
Problem 2: PERSISTENT SLAB (optional)
Where: WRITE WHERE (e.g., “Shady aspects with thin/variable snowpack.”)
Elevation band(s): WRITE BANDS (e.g., “5,000–6,000 m; isolated 4,000–5,000 m”)
Likelihood: Unlikely / Possible / Likely
Expected size: Medium–Large
What’s driving it: WRITE WHY (old weak layer, crust interface, facets, etc.).
Field clues:
- WRITE CLUE (e.g., whumpfing / collapsing)
- WRITE CLUE (e.g., recent avalanches on similar aspects)
Elevation-based summary
3,000–4,000 m
Key problems: WRITE (or “None significant”)
What to expect: WRITE 1 LINE
Travel strategy: WRITE 1 LINE
4,000–5,000 m
Key problems:
What to expect:
Travel strategy:
5,000–6,000 m
Key problems:
What to expect:
Travel strategy:
Snowpack & weather discussion
WRITE YOUR DISCUSSION HERE. You can go long. This is where you dump your notes and reasoning.
Travel advice
Good terrain today: WRITE SHORT LIST IN A SENTENCE OR TWO.
Avoid today: WRITE SHORT LIST IN A SENTENCE OR TWO.
Red flags (turn-around signs):
- Cracking / shooting cracks
- Whumpfing / collapses
- Recent avalanches
- Active wind loading / drifting snow
- Rapid warming / wet activity
Micro-region notes (optional)
SECTOR NAME — DATE/TIME
- What I saw / what was reported: WRITE
- How it differs from the regional picture: WRITE
- What it changes in terrain choice: WRITE
- Photos/media: ADD IMAGES BELOW (optional)
Observations / recent avalanches (optional)
- Date/time: WRITE
- Location (rough is fine): WRITE
- Elevation/aspect: WRITE
- Type/size/trigger: WRITE
- What it suggests about stability: WRITE
Closing
WRITE A SHORT CLOSING. Example: “Conditions vary quickly with wind and terrain. If field observations don’t match this forecast, trust what you’re seeing and adjust plans.”
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