Observation: Public

Name:

Andrew E Goodwin

Observation Date:

November 20, 2020

Submitted:

November 22, 2020

Zone or Region:

West South

Activity:

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

Location:

Mt St Helens, Worm Flows Climbing Route

Did you observe any avalanches?

Yes

Avalanche Type:

Wet Loose

Size:

Size 1: Relatively harmless to people

Elevation:

3,200-5,000'

Aspect:

SW

Comments:

Loose wet avalanches on steep W/SW aspects in the afternoon sun. At 3,200' there were roller balls up to 3' in diameter. The avalanches did not propagate to any deeper snow layers. The mountain had 2-4' of snow in these altitudes. All of it soft and wet with no rime ice. Above 6,000' ridges are wind-scoured and rime-iced and valley snow was much firmer wind-transported snow.

Photo:

None reported

Upper reaches of the mountain now have 2 deep snow layers. On steep slopes I stayed on ridges that still had exposed rock and avoided the wind-slab that was predominant on the E/SE side of the ridges.

Climber negotiating a fresh cornice perched above a steep slope at 5200'