Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Craig Muderlak
Observation Date:
April 13, 2022
Submitted:
April 13, 2022
Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie Pass
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Snowlake Divide, variations of north side of Wright

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
Yes, Isolated
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
No

Observations

We traveled to Snow lake via snowlake divide, to summit of Wright Mnt and down variations off the north side down to 3500'. Pockets of 10-30cm windslab formation largely unreactive. Despite multiple midstorm interfaces and easy handshears, no storm slab no reactivity observed. Mostly right side up upper snowpack other than the locations with shallow windslabs. Riding conditions were excellent on all aspects throughout the day down to around 3800ft. Unfortunately, on our way out at 6pm we noted a superficial refreeze had formed on solar and even many shaded aspects below 4500 ft (ish) and most likely on solar slopes up to and above 5000' which will effect the quality of skiing moving forward.

Media

Public Field Report: Snowlake Divide, variations of north side of Wright
Public Field Report: Snowlake Divide, variations of north side of Wright

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Wind Slab
Comments: 
10-30 cm windlab formation on multiple aspect mostly stubborn / unlikely. Small cracking on North aspect below ridge Wright Mnt with S wind actively transporting snow. We were unable to trigger windslabs on rollovers/testslopes. I think there are potentially isolated pockets of larger D2 windslab lurking out there but becoming more isolated and stubborn.
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