Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
JEFF HAMBELTONObservation Date:
March 17, 2022Submitted:
March 17, 2022Zone or Region:
West NorthActivity:
Snowmobiling/SnowbikingLocation:
Church LakeTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
YesAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
5300Aspect:
NEComments:
30' wide x 30' tall x 16" thickSigns of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, IsolatedDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
NoObservations
12-16" storm slab, on a steep NE facing test slope. Approached from above, dropped a spindle as I crested the slope, and initiated a fracture on the slope below.
This was my only observation of a triggered slab today, but combined with other local observations in the Nooksack drainage, this result indicated something unusual. The triggered test slope was touchy on my test, and "popped" more than normal results. There were already a number of deep tracks on this slope too. It made me want to back away from bigger slopes.