Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
WillObservation Date:
December 30, 2022Submitted:
December 30, 2022Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie PassActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
West Aspect b/t 2500-5000 ft.Observed Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Wet LooseSize:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a personElevation:
~3800 ftAspect:
WComments:
Avalanche occurred while we were skiing, we observed the debris field on our exit from a bit of a distance. Seemed to start at or near the trees at the edge of a steep open area; runout appeared to be approximately 150'. D1.5Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
NoDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, IsolatedObservations
Travelled between 2500' and 51000' on a west aspect. Raining lightly at 0845 when we began our tour; snowline was around 3800'. Very saturated snow at lower elevations giving way to decently dry snow above 4k. Precip ended around 1030AM. Got one isolated collapse and whump in a small depression in the trees at around 4200', but could not replicate elsewhere. We observed roller balls and tree bombs throughout our tour below 4500'. Near ridgeline and above 5k, west aspects were scoured, down to Christmas crust in some spots, even in the trees. No observed wind transport this AM, although gusty winds at ridgeline @11am.
On our exit we noticed the debris field from a wet-loose avalanche, D1.5. Start zone appeared to be the edge of trees above a steep open area; possible started from tree bombs. It was not there earlier in the morning when we ascended.
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