Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
April 5, 2023
Submitted:
April 5, 2023
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Dallas Glass
Zone or Region:
West South
Location:
Miriam Creek, White Pass Backcountry (All aspects 4500-6300 feet. )

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Media/Attachments

Large rollerballs on a S aspect at 6000ft.
This thin slice of the upper 2 ft of the snowpack lets you see several of the recent snow layers.
Tilt test showing an interstorm layer (top) over the 3/31 crust (bottom)
Snow profile in the White Pass backcountry.
Very small loose wet slides and rollerballs in rocky terrain. E 6100ft
Fresh loose wet avalanches and rollerballs on steep sunny slopes. E 6600ft
An old crown covered by a few inches of new snow. NE, 6500ft.
This small loose wet avalanche occurred at about 930 in the morning when the sun was just hitting this rocky face. E 6200ft

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Sunny
Wind:
Calm
New/Recent Snowfall:
No new snow.

A beautiful day in the mountains. Winds were barely if every noticeable, even on ridgelines. Skies were mostly sunny with a bit of increasing clouds around 2-3pm.

Small loose wet slides were observed off of Second Peak, Gunsight Buttress, and Third Peak. All were D1-1.5.
One older slab avalanche was observed in Second Bowl near the Digit. I didn't see this slide on Monday when I traveled in a nearby area. The debris appeared to have several inches of snow on it.

Snowpack Observations

Shaded: Typically around 18-20 inches (45-50cm) of soft right-side-up storm snow was found over the 3/31 interface (a subtle crust). While tilt test till highlighted interstorm layers, they did not show the ability to fail and produce avalanches in any other tests (compression, small slope, uptrack, etc.). The upper snowpack appeared strong and well bonded consisting mostly of rounded grains. No obvious weak layers were found.

Sunny: About 12-18 inches (30-45cm) of recent snow was found over the much more prominent 3/31 crust. The surface consisted of a few inches (5-8cm) of heavy wetter snow or a thin (1-2 in/ 3-5cm) crust. Below the surface, the snow was still very dry, even at lower elevations (4500ft). The 3/31 interface appeared generally strong and well bonded.

Wind affected: While we could find a few wind-loaded pockets, we could not get them to crack or fail.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Wet Loose
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
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