Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Ryan Matz
Observation Date:
January 5, 2023
Submitted:
January 5, 2023
Zone or Region:
Mt Hood
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Timberline ski area vicinity

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Hard Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
6,500’
Aspect:
W
Comments:
Observed a few small cornice failures on west facing terrain features near 6,500’. Likely occurred overnight last night. Observed many more cracks above cornices that didn’t release.

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

In addition to above observations, I found clean, easy hand shear failures above the late December crust on a somewhat wind sheltered SW aspect just west of the Timberline ski area. Weak layer appeared to be small facets above the crust. No signs of instability on this layer under my skis.

Media

Small (D1) cornice failure, W aspect, 6300’
An example of the many cracks above cornices on west facing terrain that nearly failed but didn’t release.
Small shooting crack, undercut by ski track. SW aspect, 6300’.
Hand shear, SW aspect, 6300’: easy failure of yesterday’s wind slab down 20 cm, and easy failure on late December crust down 40 cm.

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Wind Slab
Comments: 
Wind slabs that formed yesterday observed on west facing terrain near and above treeline, with scouring to crust in many areas on east facing terrain above treeline. These wind slabs were stubborn: No cracking underfoot/skis (and I was trying) except when undercut by a ski track, but easy hand shear failures. 4 finger to 1 finger hardness at the surface and increasingly soft below the surface. Thickness of yesterday’s wind slabs varied spatially, from 10 cm to nearly a meter.
Observed Avalanche Problem #2: 
Cornice
Comments: 
As stated above, I observed a few small cornice failure avalanches on west facing terrain, but many more cracks above cornices that didn’t quite release. I stomped on a bunch and all were firm and stubborn to unreactive today.
WordPress Lightbox