Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Allen Taylor
Observation Date:
May 22, 2022
Submitted:
May 22, 2022
Zone or Region:
West North
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Cascade Pass/Magic S Loop

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Wet Slab
Size:
Size 4: Could destroy a railway car, large truck, several buildings, or a substantial amount of forest
Elevation:
6900-4200
Aspect:
E
Comments:
Massive wet slab ran off the ridge between Hurry Up and Magic Mtns. Made it basically to Trapper Lake. Seems like it probably ran on the 21st or 20th.

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

There was a 4" deep freeze last night. Below that things are rotten and unconsolidated. Wet slides are running off the cliffs everywhere once they get sun. There are also a lot of huge cornices hanging out at the ridges. Avalanches were too numerous to count, but had run before we arrived. Some appeared to be natural slab releases and some appeared to be caused by cornice falls (the slab avalanches that is). Many point releases (hundreds?). We traveled early, got out of avalanche terrain by 11AM, had no issues, also found some terrific corn. There is a big dragon out there and the sun was waking him up. Great coverage up high!

Media

Cascade pass approach buried in debris.
Snow waterfalls increasing in frequency as the day warms.
Primo corn, get it before it turns to breakable crust.
Massive slide ran to Trapper lake
Crown on the ridge between Hurry Up and Magic, looks to be 15'+ at points, I didn't see a missing cornice we could blame the avalanche on. Debris ran to Trapper Lake.
My partner making haste through the firing line. No notable activity when we passed at 9AM. The mountain was just starting to wake up.
N Face of spider is super fat (and so it the cornice above Arachnophobia). The Sjue variation is looking awesome at least. Slab avalanche also visible on the left side.
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