Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Jeremy
Observation Date:
January 7, 2023
Submitted:
January 7, 2023
Zone or Region:
Olympics
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Maggie’s ridge

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
5400’
Aspect:
NW
Comments:
Triggered a soft wind slab on the leeward side of the ridge immediately upon dropping in and making a cut.

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Wet Loose
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
4800’
Aspect:
E
Comments:
Triggered another wet loose near the Hurricane ridge road on the other side of the ridge, around 4800’ SE facing slopes (Maggie’s exit). Ample evidence of other wet-loose slides. We saw several rollerballs throughout the day.

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Hand pits along the ridge showed the snow was stable along the ridge. The E and SE sides of the ridge were constantly wind scoured and the other side pillowy. There were obvious small to medium cornices along the ridge.

I dropped into some NW trees and triggered a small slab. The snow was heavy in places. Shortly after a friend dropped in and suffered a leg injury when his tips got stuck under the snow and bindings did not release.

When I was exiting Maggie’s ridge to the SE towards the road, the top was a bit crusty but not terrible. Midway down became extremely nice, then within 200’ of the road it became heavy and there was evidence of wet-loose slides, including a very small one I triggered.

Media

Wet-loose debris in a gully just above the road.
Soft slab (6” crown) NW slopes.
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