Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Ryan Matz
Observation Date:
December 21, 2022
Submitted:
December 21, 2022
Zone or Region:
Mt Hood
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Timberline ski area vicinity, upper White River

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Hard Slab
Size:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person
Elevation:
6,000’ to 7,000’ (multiple avalanches)
Aspect:
SE
Comments:
Multiple wind slab avalanches observed, D1 to D2 in size, Between 6000 and 7000 feet in elevation. All on roughly south east aspect. Likely failed overnight/early this morning.
Largest was near 7,000’ in elevation: approx. 18” crown height but appeared to step down multiple times, approx. 200’ crown width, ran approx. 750 vertical feet.

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Observations and photos all from 8:00-9:00 AM

Media

Crown of avalanche near 7,000’ elevation, White River drainage, SE aspect
Crown and debris of avalanche near 7,000’ in White River
Crown and debris, upper Salmon River, ~6500’, SE aspect
Crown and debris, immediately east of Timberline ski area boundary, ~6,200’, SE aspect.

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Wind Slab
Comments: 
Significant spatial variability in new in slab. Roughly 4F hardness around 6000 feet in elevation, 1F to P hardness around 7000 feet in elevation. Active wind transport was still occurring this morning.
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