Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
AIARE 2 CourseObservation Date:
March 9, 2022Submitted:
March 9, 2022Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie PassActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Chair Peak North SlopesSigns of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
NoDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, IsolatedObservations
Travelled to Snow Lake Divide and then North facing ramp to Chair Peak North Slopes. Noted collapsing and whumpfing. Dug a quick pit at 4900’, N facing, noting 15cm new snow overnight, 28cm total snow on rain crust from last week. New snow sat on 5cm windslab, over facets/surface hoar. Another layer of facets/surface hoar sits on top of rain crust. Test results were CT11 Q1 sudden collapse at 20cm under windslab, ECTN12.
Though this layering was isolated to north aspects, we changed our route plan and were immediately skeptical of steep north facing terrain in the area.