Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Katie and Jon Strahl
Observation Date:
February 25, 2022
Submitted:
February 26, 2022
Zone or Region:
Stevens Pass
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Rock -Howard Mountains

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Wet Loose
Size:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person
Elevation:
6300
Aspect:
S
Comments:
At 11:15 am we witnessed a D2 wet loose avalanche on a S aspect originating from some steep cliffs/rocks above treeline

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Rock - Howard - Mastiff - deep powder trailbreaking up the Rock Mountain summer trail route, some evidence of cornice-triggered slab avalanches between the S and N summits of Rock Mountain. Very sunny day with air temps in the mid-20s, at 11:15am we witnessed a loose wet avalanche above treeline on steep cliffs at approximately 6300 feet. We saw evidence of other D2 loose wet slides that occurred in the days prior.

Wind-scoured skiing on the N aspect of Rock and E aspect of Howard. Excellent powder skiing on E aspect of Mastiff. Wicked breakable sun crust at 4000ft and below on S aspects.

Media

Evidence of loose wet slides on the steep S faces of peaks around Rock Mountain ~6300 ft
Crowns from what appear to be cornice-triggered slab avalanches
D2 loose wet slide in progress at 11:15am on S aspect at 6300 ft
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