Observation: NWAC Observer
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 19, 2023Submitted:
January 20, 2023Observer:
NWAC Observer - Sam LuthyZone or Region:
OlympicsLocation:
Hurricane Ridge- Switchback Trail / Klahhane ridge (S-W-N 4400-6100)Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
YesCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedMedia/Attachments
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Mostly SunnyTemperature:
25°FWind:
Light , SWNew/Recent Snowfall:
5-8cm HSTMostly clear with Few clouds developing in the afternoon. Very light winds out of the SW. Low Density snow available for transport but ridges are already striped.
Avalanche Observations
| # | Date | Location | Size | Type | Bed Sfc | Depth | Trigger | Photos | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Jan 13, 2023 () |
Klahane Bowl N 6100ft |
D2.5 R3 |
WL-Wet Loose | S-New Snow |
N-Natural u-Unintentional |
|
Report |
Large piles of debris up to SZ2.5 in the bottom of Klahane bowl.
Snowpack Observations
light snow 5-8cm and up to 20cm deep on lee aspects sits on top of MLK crust. SH observed on all aspects, likely destroyed on solar aspects.
HS NE @ 6000 190cm
HS valley bottom 4700ft 110cm
As you increase in altitude the MLK crust becomes layered with weak preserved snow sandwiched between. While these layers are reactive in CT after being cut the overlying crusts are 2-3cm thick and are unlikely to break in a manner that would result in any propagation. Below the MLK Pencil rounds exist and there are no layers of concern.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wet Loose
|
|
Comments: Small slides running on MLK on S aspects from ski tracks. |
|||
Wind Slab
|
|
Layer Depth/Date: 20cm Comments: only in the steepest and most recently loaded terrain. |
Low Hazard in BTL and NTL. Creeping into Moderate in ATL