Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Andrea G
Observation Date:
December 30, 2022
Submitted:
December 30, 2022
Zone or Region:
Stevens Pass
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Skyline Ridge Backside

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
5200
Aspect:
N
Comments:
Two storm slab avalanches observed on backside of Skyline Ridge.
One about 50M in width naturally released on steep slope below rock band.

Another in similar region and aspect about 5M in width. About 5in crown. On a low 30s angle, on convexity. We may have triggered in our ski down, but didn’t observe until our skin out.

Slabs appeared to be a mid storm with a more consolidated layer of about 5in.

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Observations

Snow totals were higher than projected.

We were finding increasing slab consolidation and reactivity in hand shears throughout the day as the snow depth increased.

No wind effect observed.

Media

Very small slab avalanche about 5M wide. Crown about 5in.
Naturally triggered slab avalanche about 50M wide. Small crown just below rock band propagated (you can see the three sections in photo).
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