Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
John Dwyer
Observation Date:
December 6, 2020
Submitted:
December 6, 2020
Zone or Region:
Mt Hood
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Lower White River

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Wet Loose
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
5800
Aspect:
E
Comments:
Slow moving wet loose. Clearly the new snow from last night sliding on the old surface. Fast and controlled ski descents kept riders well ahead of these small avalanches. Slope steepness was mid 30s. Depth: 2” Width: a skiers track Length: 40 to 80% of the slope (360‘ to 180’) We did laps on a section directly next to that. Facing more ESE with a steepness in the low 30s. There were small roller balls on this section.
Photo:

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

I had skied this location 2 days prior and knew the existing snow was well bonded and homogeneous. The group’s first run was on a mid-30 degree section and produced no loose wet. 2nd and 3rd runs were a bit steeper and had the small, but manageable, slides. After this, we dialed back and did 2 more laps on low-30 degree slopes and had minimal roller balls.

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