Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Craig Roberts
Observation Date:
February 21, 2022
Submitted:
February 22, 2022
Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie Pass
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Summit central, tanner’s pass traverse to powerline cut between central and hyak.

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

We traveled on piste at silver fir and xc trails to surveyors lake. Off piste found 8-15” of medium to high new density snow. Touring onto new snow produced no whoompfing, cracks, sudden collapse or drum sounds, but produced wet leather couch squeaking sounds. Snowfall was variable in intensity from 1500h - 1630h with dippin dots at 2800’, and clumping well structured flakes above 3700’. We avoided slopes of +30 slopes based on Avaluator score of +3 av; +2 terrain and +hand shear results on aspect we intended to ski. Skiing was boot depth vichyssoise over crust. We descended part of the powerline cut, then over to xc and on piste.

Media

Sheared across block with modest force at 38cm on grainy surface. ~40deg ESE 3600’ hyak zone. Will tag @nwac in instagram video of test.
At 1600h, above 3800’ top layer became lower density. Stepping out onto new snow was boot depth on 100 waist width skis. Snow can be seen falling in clumped flakes, well defined structure.

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Storm Slab
Comments: 
Powerline cut between central and hyak. ESE aspect at 3600’ ~40 deg. Hand shear produced fracture at 38cm across block with modest force on a layer of grainy snow. Quick profile in hand shear pit found variable density across the layer. Ski pole tests also found variable density across the area of travel. Top layer decreased in density above 3800’ up to surveyors lake at 4000’. We avoided slopes of +30 on descent.
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