Observation: Public

Name:

Erin Reynolds

Observation Date:

January 2, 2023

Submitted:

January 3, 2023

Zone or Region:

Stevens Pass

Activity:

Skiing/Snowboarding

Location:

Rock Mountain

Did you trigger any avalanches?

Yes

Was it intentional?

No

Avalanche Type:

Hard Slab

Size:

Size 1: Relatively harmless to people

Elevation:

5700

Aspect:

NE

Comments:

See photo. Did not fully release but saw shooting cracks on recently wind loaded snow with wind slab formation.

Did you see shooting cracks?

Yes, Isolated

Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing?

No

Partly sunny day. Had some limited views of Rock Mtn and Howard with fast moving clouds. Observed strong, cold winds out the E with significant snow transport above treeline. At treeline noticed wind stiffened snow and triggered snow wind slab avalanche (see photo). Mostly skied below treeline where snow was soft and protected. Around 1-2 PM winds were strong enough that trees were swaying and tree bombs releasing. 4K and below had a mostly supportable crust that made for an interesting exit.

Given conditions, did not advance past 5800.

PSA: while out, a large tractor put 2 tire track divots a few feet deep on FS Road 65 (Little Wenatchee). Had to sidehill out the length of the road. Hopefully new snow will help fill this in, but would make a challenging sled ride.

Wind slab, skier triggered, 5700 NE aspect below Rock Mountain