Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Dallas Glass
Observation Date:
November 27, 2020
Submitted:
November 27, 2020
Zone or Region:
West South
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Paradise, Golden Gate, Mazama Ridge

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Wet Loose
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
5800
Aspect:
SE
Comments:
Edith's Knob above the Valley Rd. Three natural loose wet avalanches occurred around noon and crossed a section of the summer Skyline Trail. All three were relatively small but could knock you off your feet.
Photo:

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Snowpack: Height of snow: 6' (180cm), Recent snow 12-18" (30-45cm) over a very thin rain crust (11/24). A more pronounced and firm crust (11/17) was found down 2-2.5' (60-80cm).
Most active layer in snopwack test was a mid storm layer down 10-15" (25-40cm) on large (2mm) preserved stellar (see photo of tilt test). This failure was always about 1" (2-3cm) above the 11/24 rain crust.

Weather: Few clouds. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds. Warm temperatures above freezing.

Media

Tilt test from 6100' NW aspect near the Golden Gate area.
Winds transporting snow and other signs of wind loading near Golden Gate Falls 6800' W aspect.
Rollerballs near the Valley Rd. S aspect. 5400'

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Wet Loose
Comments: 
Numerous rollerballs beginning around 10am and continuing across SE to S to SW aspects through the day. Snow surface moist to wet on steep sunny slopes near and below treeline.
Observed Avalanche Problem #2: 
Wind Slab
Comments: 
Obvious signs of wind transported snow above Panorama Pt. Features such as McClure Rocks, Sugarloaf, and Golden Gate Bowls all showed actively blowing snow, drifts, small cornices, and riming
WordPress Lightbox