Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Josh Hirshberg
Observation Date:
November 20, 2020
Submitted:
November 20, 2020
Zone or Region:
Stevens Pass
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Skyline Ridge

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Wet Loose
Size:
Elevation:
4900
Aspect:
SW
Comments:
A couple of small (D1) loose wet slides on steep solar aspects w/ sun in the AM

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Traveled on N-NE, SE-S, from 4,000-5,400ft.
Weather: Temp hovered just below and near 0C. Broken thin clouds in the AM, w surprising amount of solar radiation on sunny slopes. Becoming obscured w clouds dropping to 4,500ft in PM.
Snowpack: Height of snow 110-140cm. Surfaces were moist on solars. Found ~40cm of storm snow on top of this week's (11/17) rain event. Rain layer is 5-10cm thick, varies w elevation, and is partially frozen. Profile (attached) showed entire snowpack was moist, with little concern beyond recent storm instabilities. Confirmed that early Nov FC are not a problem on ESE, 5220ft. Aside from minimal loose activity, observed a generally stable snowpack.

Media

Profile from Skyline/Moonlight, ESE, 5020ft.
Pointing out a couple storm interfaces that formed in the top 40cm since Nov 18th

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Wet Loose
Comments: 
SE-SW, near and below TL, possible-likely, D1
Observed Avalanche Problem #2: 
Wind Slab
Comments: 
All asp, above TL. Did not observe directly, but could see recent drifts on distant peaks. May exist, but uncertain to what extent.
WordPress Lightbox