Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Erin & Anthony
Observation Date:
April 10, 2022
Submitted:
April 11, 2022
Zone or Region:
Stevens Pass
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Martin & Nason Creek

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Dry Loose (Sluff)
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
5400’
Aspect:
NE
Comments:
Sluffing on northerly aspects on slopes >35 degrees. Primarily upper 2-4” of new snow.

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person
Elevation:
5400’
Aspect:
N
Comments:
Steep pockets on the N side of Tye Peak slid. Looks like the slide originated in steep rocky terrain that may have been lightly warmed in the April sun. It was difficult to determine the depth of the crown (my apologies for the poor quality photo).

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

We experienced a wide array of snow quality on the ground and falling from the sky during our travels. We generally skied northern aspects which held great quality snow especially at upper elevations. Debris from tree bombs and avalanches formed during last week’s warm up became more buried Saturday into Sunday. On steeper slopes the debris was still noticeable but manageable. We expected and experienced sluffing on steeper aspects. Travel was pretty slow due trail breaking in knee deep new snow. Most of the morning it was snowing quite hard S1-S2. By midday the precip had changed from fluffy flakes to flakes mixed with graupel. As we exited mid afternoon the snow quality deteriorated as we descended along Nason Creek. The snow from 3900’ and down was manky mash tater consistency. Looks like more snow and cool temps will bring a nice refresh.

Media

N aspects of Tye Peak
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