Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Diana AnthonyObservation Date:
April 10, 2022Submitted:
April 10, 2022Zone or Region:
West SouthActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Mt. St. Helens - Worm FlowsTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
5000ftAspect:
SEComments:
Convex rollover, 8 inches deep, 10-15 feet wide, ran for 40-50 feetSigns of Unstable Snow
Observations
During descent, a skier accidentally triggered a small wind slab avalanche on a SE aspect on a convex rollover in a worm on Helens (climbers left of main ascent ridge). Skier unhurt and rode it out.
Our party observed lots of wind loading from a west wind at all elevations above tree line and we planned to avoid east slopes. We ascended via the main Worm Flow climbing route on both the ridge and gully climbers left of the ridge. Ski pen was about 7 inches and no shooting cracks or woomfing was observed. The top two inches of snow were displaying slabby behavior, and along with deteriorating conditions, we made the decision to turn around at 5600ft. We skied in the worm climbers left of the main ascent ridge and mostly hugged the west aspects.
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