Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Austen BeasonObservation Date:
December 14, 2021Submitted:
December 14, 2021Zone or Region:
West SouthActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Worm Flows, Mt St HelensTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
YesAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
~5600Aspect:
EComments:
Wind slab on steep, loaded ridge. ~50’x50’ slab, 30-45cm thick, ran ~50-75’. Ski cut trigger off ridge top to enter sheltered gully.Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, IsolatedDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
NoObservations
Attempted Mt St Helens ascent/ski via Worm flows route. Below treeline, up to 60cm of storm snow, no cracking or whoomping, minor wind loading where open enough. Pole probing had storm snow on very firm base, maybe 10cm thick and slightly softer below.
At and above treeline, significant wind transport on SW-W winds, crossloading ridges, poor visibility. Cracking in wind load generally 5’-10’, ski cut triggered one wind slab, SS-d1/r2-ASc-S.
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