Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Trevor KostanichObservation Date:
March 8, 2021Submitted:
March 8, 2021Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie PassActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Wright MtTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
YesAvalanche Type:
Hard SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
5250Aspect:
NComments:
While tip toeing towards entrance options skier’s right of summit into Wright’s North Basin, I triggered a wind slab at convex entrance to steeper chute. Crown was 20’ wide, 8-12” (20-30cm) deep, quickly breaking into smaller hard chunks. This triggered more wind slab lower in that chute as observed lower down per photo. D1, debri ran 200’ through trees.Photo:
Signs of Unstable Snow
Observations
Stepped out a little today while still avoiding time ATL and limiting exposure to connected slopes ATL.
Terrain: Travelled to Wright Mt’s north slopes via Snow Lake Divide returning via Lower Wildcat Lake/Snow Lake. Spent most of the day on north slopes BTL 3500-4800.
Avalanche: Triggered a small wind slab per notes above. Observed recent wind slabs under Bryant’s summit (NE), Wright’s summit (N), Roosevelt N satellite summit (NE). All likely in last 24 hours, D1, 100-200’ wide. Photo shown is below Wright’s summit. No new avalanches observed on mid Jan PWL including under Chair’s North Face. Large cornices observed on most all N/NE aspects of summit ridges.
Snowpack: Wind affected on ridges and a few hundred feet below ridges, lower on W/SW aspects. Low density snow on north slopes with near surface facets persisting where no wind. New storm snow from last 3 days varied in depth from 6” (15cm) at 3800’ to 10” (25cm) at 4800’.
Weather: Cold start with 18 F in parking lot. Sky started with few high clouds slowly trending to overcast high clouds mid afternoon. Winds were light to moderate with moderate snow transport along climb to Snow Lake Divide. Blowing snow off peaks and summit ridges to the NE in the am. Calm wind on north slopes well below ridges where we spent most of the day but moderate winds experienced again in mid afternoon NTL and on ridges. Last photo shows wind affect at 5000’ saddle between Wright and Roosevelt.
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