Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Matthew Calbraith CrislerObservation Date:
December 12, 2020Submitted:
December 12, 2020Zone or Region:
West SouthActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Mount Rainier - Paradise, Mazama Ridge, Golden GatesTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Dry Loose (Sluff)Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
6000Aspect:
SEComments:
A number of loose dry avalanches were triggered on the S, SE facing slopes on the upper section of Mazama Ridge. These ran relatively far and entrained all the new snow down to the rain crust. We triggered an additional loose dry on one of these slopes.Photo:
Observed Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Dry Loose (Sluff)Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
6000Aspect:
SEComments:
See abovePhoto:
Signs of Unstable Snow
Observations
Although loose dry avalanches were possible to trigger, they were limited to quite steep start zones, but ran far and entrained additional snow on the crust. We observed widespread surface hoar in the morning on all aspects and throughout the 4200'-6000+ elevation band we skiied. By the end of the day, the sun seemed to eliminate most of this on S, SE, SW facing slopes, but as of 2PM it was still present on flat and shaded slopes.
Winds throughout the day were significant at ridge tops, but nearly calm at slightly lower elevations. Some snow transport was observed at the ridge tops moving snow East to West onto Mazama Ridge and North to South onto golden gates with winds appearing to increase from noon-2PM. Wind transport appeared to be limited to just under ridge tops and relatively small amounts of snow.
Media
