Northwest Avalanche Center - Public Observation

Name:

Daniel MacDonald

Observation Date:

January 16, 2023

Submitted:

January 17, 2023

Zone or Region:

Mt Hood

Activity:

Skiing/Snowboarding

Location:

Southside Mount Hood

Did you observe any avalanches?

Yes

Comments:

Disclaimer: all obs were either from too great a distance or partially obscured from cloud cover to be sure I was slide activity or just snow covered terrain features. See pics to gauge for yourself and definitely mind Wind Pillow Headwall (and related steep easterly-facing aspects - ie Hogsback attainment a/o ski descent, west crater rim, parts of old chute route, etc)

None reported

Planned bc tour cancelled due to urgent comms and related t-mobile connectivty that arose. (Beware T-Mobile Users: according to Timberline employee who lives in Govy, a tower has been having issues for awhile now and creates problematic connectivity from Government Camp up through Timberline. I found a spot near lodge parking attendent kiosk that went in and out enough to patiently get messages out. I also found good coverage on ascent at silcox hut entrance, but on descent nothing just below same spot. Also happened to me on prior tour and seemed to get better higher up/further away from population centers (but don’t quote me on that).

Started at Skiway in Govy late morning. To top of Palmer and returned to car around 7:30-8pm w lengthy unplanned afternoon pause at Lodge. All surface pics are ungroomed parts of trail. Started clear, but wind picked up later and higher up and fairly moderate precip (rain/snow mix I think) near end of tour heavy enough to require night-goggling.

At various times from afar and/or partially cloud obscured, thought I saw evidence of D1&2 loose wet coming off south/west facing sides of Crater Rock, White River Headwall, base of Steel Cliffs and even what kinda looked like large debris that would have come from one or more parts of DK Headwall routes. Again, major disclaimer given distance and partial/frequent cloud obscurity. Just gonna upload all decent pics and let people gauge for themselves. Not gonna draw on those pics bc I think that reduces resolution of pics and it’s already less than ideal from distance and cloud cover.

No matter what, that White River Headwall pillow looks ready to pop. And with cold temps slowing the healing process, if it is it may remain that way longer than normal. Note it’ a similar aspect to common climbing and ski descent routes in the area (attaining or skiing Hogsback, West Crater Rim, etc).

Finally, unrelated but important note: I didnt have a pup w me on this trek, but did get to feel like I did by picking up a couple waste bags along skiway/glade. No big deal bc I was gonna stop at lodge, but please note that if you leave a bag for future pickup, people who come after don’t know if it was left accidentally (dropped off pack which happens fair amount) or intentionally. Even if intentionally, sometimes it gets missed on return for various reasons. Or worse compromised and abandoned: If you have any doubt that animals can find a way through thin plastic film, please visit Whitney Crest (marmots), Grand Canyon (squirrels) and Mount Baker (ravens). Personal history w latter two. Next Adventure sells used dogpacks for cheap. Please help us keep our recreational sites free of landmines.