Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Enji CooperObservation Date:
January 22, 2022Submitted:
January 22, 2022Zone or Region:
East CentralActivity:
XC Skiing/SnowshoeingLocation:
Granite Creek drainage (Cle Elum), Hicks ButteTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Wet LooseSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
Below treeline/near treelineAspect:
NEComments:
Was punching down approximately 4” with snowshoes with fins trying to get out of Granite Creek drainageObserved Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Wet LooseSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
4k’Aspect:
WComments:
A couple day old slide on a well lit rock face.Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
NoDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, IsolatedObservations
Lots of rain/refreeze crust covering up to 1’ of consolidating wet loose snow. Next layer was about 1” of pencil hard crust, but the layers below were very consolidated.
The best snow today was out in the open/along the ridge in the shade and late afternoon. Wonderful crampon grip; didn’t sink in too much.
Every time I went under the trees below 4k’, my snowshoes tried submerging through all of the top weak layers.
Creek is open and flowing. Some glide cracks around trees and the creek, but all of the areas were easy to avoid.
Temps were just above freezing at the Granite Creek Trailhead in the morning (10:30) when I arrived.
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