Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Nate Hough-Snee
Observation Date:
December 20, 2022
Submitted:
December 20, 2022
Zone or Region:
East Central
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
7905 Rd

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
No
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
3800'
Aspect:
NE
Comments:
Dozens of small soft storm slabs remotely triggered, skier-triggered, tree bomb triggered. Watched a D2 come over the road in Tumwater Canyon.

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
1600-3800'
Aspect:
E
Comments:
Dozens of small soft storm slabs remotely triggered, skier-triggered, tree bomb triggered. Watched a natural D2 soft storm slab come over the road in Tumwater Canyon while travelling westbound 1045.

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Observations

Heads up day with lots of recent snow BTL and cold temps, but calm winds and a pleasant clearing trend by mid-afternoon to OVC and S1. Multiple storm slabs failed on near surface facets, surface hoar, and density changes in storm snow throughout the day. Peak SS activity occurred alongside peak snowfall rates. Mostly natural dry loose activity by 1500.

Media

SS-N-R1-D1, 3500' NE
SS-N-R1-D1 1600', West

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Storm Slab
Comments: 
It was snowing S2-S5 during the peak of the storm, which led to widespread soft slabs throughout the day during peak snowfall. Slides failed on near surface facets, surface hoar, and density changes in storm snow.
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