Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Jordan RogersObservation Date:
February 5, 2022Submitted:
February 5, 2022Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie PassActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Pineapple PassSigns of Unstable Snow
Observations
We took a trip up to pineapple pass and did a few laps on the main face from the col. At the the basin floor from 4400-4800' the upper snowpack was fairly consistent and leaning towards the wet side, though we didn't have any issues with glopping. On skis I found myself sinking to about my ankles in the morning, deeper by the time we were exiting in the late morning. I plunged to my knees when I got off my skis to transition for our second lap.
As the basin transitions into the steeper face around 4800' up to the col a thin, inconsistent crust appeared varying from 2-6" below the surface.
Right at the ridge line around 5200' we saw snow texturing indicative of wind transport towards the south facing slopes. The crust from the main slope was gone and replaced by a thick, supportive layer about 4" below the surface.
Advanced Observations
Observed Avalanche Problem #1:
Wet LooseComments:
Saw signs of small wet slides (D0.5) off the steep East facing slopes between Hemlock and Bryant peaks and sloughing beginning from the rock faces by late morning. By 11am there were non-stop rollerballs going down the South facing slopes visible from the col at the top of Pineapple pass.Large tree bombs were something we were looking out for as the temperature warmed through the day; many trees are heavily loaded from the recent storm cycle. We did not observe any falling but we exited just as the descent trees from Pineapple Pass began to receive sun.