Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Enji CooperObservation Date:
March 30, 2023Submitted:
March 30, 2023Zone or Region:
Stevens PassActivity:
XC Skiing/SnowshoeingLocation:
Windy MountainTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Wet LooseSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
2.8k’+Aspect:
SComments:
Triggered a few wet loose slides. Most were small/targeted, but one was a bit larger (still D1 though).Signs of Unstable Snow
Observations
Took the Iron Goat Trail up from Scenic and followed the south ridge. There was some consolidating snow down low, but it was punchy when I arrived in the morning. Once I got more under treeline, however, a lot of the snow disappeared (I assume rain shadows and sun were the causes). At 2.8k’, the snow increased, but still appeared to be less than 2’ deep. Low coverage snow continued up to 3.6k’ or so.
Much of the observed issues were wet loose related and because the latest storm layer hadn’t bonded to the crust directly below it.
I didn’t find any evidence of wind slabs up to the summit, but I didn’t actively seek them out (route is almost entirely S facing). Saw some evidence of past E hanging cornices near the summit.
Descending was difficult because the top layer wanted to slide under my snowshoes and because heel plunging was going up to my thigh (at least 2’ deep) between 4.5k’ and 4k’.
Media
