Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Zach Mumford
Observation Date:
February 25, 2022
Submitted:
February 25, 2022
Zone or Region:
West North
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Mt. Baker Backcountry

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
No
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person
Elevation:
5500
Aspect:
NE
Comments:
Coming back over the top of the table Lou rain saddle about 300 vertical feet from the top the slide ran from the bottom of a rock and propagated about 100 feet in both directions. Slide path was about 200 feet wide at its widest point. About 1 ft deep on the rain crust layer from about a week ago.

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

On the way up there was significant warming on the south side of table mountain with some small roller balls. About 10 am we decided to ski the saddle lookers right of table on the north, northeast aspect where there were several tracks and no signs of warming or wind loading. While the top of table was wind affected there were no cracks or other signs of instability. Based on the problems noted in the forecast as wind loading and warming over the course of the day, we decided to avoid both and ski a relatively protected section of the saddle. Between table and the mini AK area.

After dropping into the line about 300 feet, below any wind affect, the slide propagated from a point just below some shaded rock about 200 feet wide and 5-600 feet long. My partner saw the slide happen and skied out to the side and bottom. No skiers caught or carried. The slide surface seemed to be the rain/wet snow crust from about a week ago. The snow that did slide was light and not sun or wind affected.

Media

Public Field Report: Mt. Baker Backcountry
Public Field Report: Mt. Baker Backcountry
Public Field Report: Mt. Baker Backcountry
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