Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Nicholas Mendenhall
Observation Date:
November 26, 2022
Submitted:
November 26, 2022
Zone or Region:
Stevens Pass
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Stevens Pass Ski Area - Tye Saddle to Southern Cross

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
5100 ft
Aspect:
E
Comments:
Older cornice failure at Tye Saddle.

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Observations

Observed wind blown snow and cornices on east and north east aspects below and near tree line. Hand pits failed on storm snow from 11/22.

A compression test failed at 18 (CTM) on the wind slab layer. 5600ft, East Aspect, Leeward slope, below/near tree line. Extended column didn't fail (ECTX). Snow pack is low 80-85cm at this location.

An older cornice failure at Tye Saddle was observed.

Media

Hand pit failure on storm snow from 11/22
Wind slab and cornice failure at Tye Saddle. East Aspect, 5100ft.
Wind affected snow at top of double diamond
Wind affected snow at top of double diamond
Cornice failure caused by me.
Pit profile, 5600ft, East Aspect, Leeward Slope, Below/Near tree line. First big line is wind slab on rain crust. Second big line is storm snow on mid-November crust.
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