Observation: Public
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 3, 2021Submitted:
January 3, 2021Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie PassActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Mt. CatherineTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
4900ftAspect:
NComments:
Skiers standing still when small slope above released during large gust of wind (dislodged tree bomb?) ~50ft below E end of Mt. Catherine sub-summit ridgeline. Crown varying 3-6in deep, ~50ft wide, ran 20-50ft depending on terrain features. 1 skier knocked over and carried 5ft into tree, buried to knees. No injuries. Bed surface fairly soft and easy to penetrate skinning. Amount of snow entrained likely would have required a terrain trap for full burial. No wind observed aside from described gust and visual indicators of wind transport were absent.Signs of Unstable Snow
None reported
Observations
12"+ heavy new snow in most open areas, continued snowing throughout tour. Saw 1 other oddball crown in photo 3 just below incident location. No other instability noted aside from sluffing storm snow during ski out.
Media
