Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
JacobObservation Date:
December 3, 2022Submitted:
December 3, 2022Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie PassActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Bryant CouloirTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Hard SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
5000ftAspect:
NEComments:
While skiing in the Bryant Couloir one skier triggered a D1 wind slab on the left side wall of the couloir, and was carried about 15-20ft. We approached the Bryant via pineapple pass, skiing a lap of pineapple basin before heading up to the Bryant via the left-hand ledges approach. Pineapple basin snow was light low density but as we approached Bryant there was obvious evidence of wind transport with wind ripples and stiffened snow. However, hand pits and ski cutting showed this to be generally a thin skim which was generally unreactive. These observations were consistent from pineapple basin to the col at the top of the Bryant. Snow transport was continuing throughout the day with blowing low density snow moving readily at the top of the couloir. We skied the top part of the couloir conservatively but saw no significant signs of instability and a group of 3 had previously skied the line and ski cut or skied may areas of concern with no evidence of releases. Just above the first choke there was a significant change in wind slab reactivity, the first skier of our group triggered one of these slabs on the left wall of the couloir, this broke with a crown depth of approximately 1ft and about 30ft wide carrying the skier about 15-20ft. The avalanche ran about 50ft stopping about 50ft above the choke. We skied the rest of the line and only observed one more area of similar highly reactive wind slab. Other than this incident skiing was excellent cold low-density snow with only a few early season hazards remainingSigns of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, IsolatedDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
NoObservations
While skiing in the Bryant Couloir one skier triggered a D1 wind slab on the left side wall of the couloir, and was carried about 15-20ft.
We approached the Bryant via pineapple pass, skiing a lap of pineapple basin before heading up to the Bryant via the left-hand ledges approach (E aspect). Pineapple basin snow was light low density but as we approached Bryant there was obvious evidence of wind transport with wind ripples and stiffened snow. However, hand pits and ski cutting showed this to be generally a thin skim which was generally unreactive. These observations were consistent from pineapple basin to the col at the top of the Bryant. Snow transport was continuing throughout the day with blowing low density snow moving readily at the top of the couloir. We skied the top part of the couloir conservatively but saw no significant signs of instability and a group of 3 had previously skied the line and ski cut or skied may areas of concern with no evidence of releases. Just above the first choke there was a significant change in wind slab reactivity, the first skier of our group triggered one of these slabs on the left wall of the couloir, this broke with a crown depth of approximately 1ft and about 30ft wide carrying the skier about 15-20ft. The avalanche ran about 50ft stopping about 50ft above the choke.
We skied the rest of the line and only observed one more area of similar highly reactive wind slab.
Other than this incident skiing was excellent cold low-density snow with only a few early season hazards remaining
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