Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Dana
Observation Date:
February 18, 2023
Submitted:
February 18, 2023
Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie Pass
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
SE Wright

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
4500
Aspect:
S
Comments:
South aspects were more reactive and slabs were failing consistently on the crust from 2/17. Ski cut slope, not a ton of propagation, maybe 5” crown and 50ft wide.

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
4500
Aspect:
S
Comments:
Didn’t get a photo of this one, but it appeared to be a natural, crown ~5” deep but broke wide across an open steep south-facing slope, probably 100ft across.

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
Yes
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
No

Observations

The 2/17 layer got more reactive throughout the day as temps warms and wet heavy slow loaded.

Also triggered a very small wet slab/wet loose low down on the north side of SE Wright, probably around 4100’ in fairly wind-sheltered north-facing terrain, appeared to have failed on the 2/17 interface as well, no propagation and no cohesive slab but entrained very wet snow.

Media

Public Field Report: SE Wright
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