Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Nate Hough-Snee
Observation Date:
January 19, 2023
Submitted:
January 20, 2023
Zone or Region:
Stevens Pass
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Lichtenberg

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Elevation:
5700'
Aspect:
SW
Comments:
SS-ARu-R1-D1 I was surprised by a wind slab near the top of Lichtenberg West that initiated to my right on the second turn among shallowly buried rocks, running 100 meters, entraining new dry snow. Crown was 15 m wide and up to 20-40cm deep, averaging 30cm. Failed on interface with MLK crust.

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Hard Slab
Size:
Size 3: Could bury and destroy a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few trees
Elevation:
5550'
Aspect:
W
Comments:
I saw an old recent hard slab that ran in a large terrain trap during the weekend warmup, causing sympathetic releases and running nearly full path.

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

As observed above.

Media

Public Field Report: Lichtenberg
Public Field Report: Lichtenberg
Public Field Report: Lichtenberg
Public Field Report: Lichtenberg
Public Field Report: Lichtenberg
Public Field Report: Lichtenberg
Public Field Report: Lichtenberg
Public Field Report: Lichtenberg
Public Field Report: Lichtenberg

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Persistent Slab
Comments: 
I dug along the ridgeline at 5600' and found the 1/4 surface hoar below a .9-1cm crust as much as a meter down on NW. This area is depositional from wind and nearby terrain, and was deeper than the same layer at Jim Hill at 6200'.
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