Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
AC
Observation Date:
March 17, 2022
Submitted:
March 17, 2022
Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie Pass
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Bryant col + couloir

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
4890'
Aspect:
E
Comments:
Saw evidence of two small (1 and 1.5) storm slab avalanches on east slopes of Bryant, below cliffy terrain. Crown estimate of larger one 5-8".

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Dawn patrol! Took bench up to Bryant col to look at and potentially ski Bryant couloir. Solar crusts abound!

The high traverse (downtrack) below cliffs had about 150' wide debris field to navigate through, could not see any crown.

On east slopes of Bryant, spotted two D1-1.5 storm slab crowns on ESE aspect at 4890'. In the area, several hand pits were showing a planar shear about 8" down with varying degrees of energy.

Dug a pit at 5200' elevation ENE aspect about 400' above the Bryant couloir choke, results ECTX. We found the surface snow to fail on a 1-1.5" layer of graupel around 3-4" down as well here. Lots of avy debris everywhere.

At the col, we sawed off a few big chunks of cornice and pushed them off, they broke up and slid downhill. Skiied the Bryant couloir which consisted of avy debris and icy bed surface; not fun to ski. Avy debris extended down into the apron. Luge track out was less fun than normal given the trap crust.

100% better than being inside!

Media

Graupel layer
Small storm slab crown
Small storm slab crown
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