Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Long, Hough-Snee
Observation Date:
February 1, 2022
Submitted:
February 1, 2022
Zone or Region:
Stevens Pass
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Lower Nason Ridge, Henry Creek

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
No
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
Yes, Isolated

Observations

Calm day with light to moderate snowfall. Moderate westerly winds with occasional strong gusts and light to moderate transport visible up Smithbrook, on Nason Ridge, and around Henry's. We experienced some cracking on small, well-developed facets and had a few isolated and localized collapses. Mid-day temps hovered just below freezing. The slab isn't built up as cohesively BTL as it may be up higher, but there is plenty of weak snow depending where you look (freezing rain, surface hoar, facets over crust).

Media

Cross-loading on easterly features below treeline on lower Nason Ridge
Small, well-developed facets from 1/20 onward underlay the fist strength storm snow from 1/30-2/1
Small, well-developed facets from 1/20 onward underlay the fist strength storm snow from 1/30-2/1. This layer led to isolated collapses and cracking between 3200' - 4200'

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Wind Slab
Comments: 
Apparent easterly cross-loading from strong prevailing westerly winds on features BTL, NTL
Observed Avalanche Problem #2: 
Persistent Slab
Comments: 
Well developed facets are overlaying the 20 January crust on northerly aspects within the former inversion elevation band (2000'-4000')
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