Observation: Public

Name:

Camille Stephens - USFS

Observation Date:

April 1, 2022

Submitted:

April 1, 2022

Zone or Region:

West South

Activity:

Walking/Hiking

Location:

Mount St. Helens - Monitor Peak

Did you observe any avalanches?

Yes

Avalanche Type:

Other

Size:

Size 3: Could bury and destroy a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few trees

Elevation:

5500

Aspect:

SE

Comments:

An avalanche was observed on the SE face of Monitor Peak, west of the Worm Flows climbing route, at a significant slope angle of 45 degrees or more. The slide appeared to be naturally-triggered with a debris field approximately 300 feet long and substantial crown that snaked both perpendicular and parallel to the slope angle. A large "whumpf" was heard and many climbers turned to try and see the source of the noise, which may have been the slide. When I finally caught sight of the crown, I could tell it was quite recent. In addition, several large cornice failures were observed in the nearby area.

None reported

Temperature of the snow fluctuated significantly from completely frozen at 7 AM to complete mush by 11 AM.

From directly across at about 5500 feet.