Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Aaron RichardsObservation Date:
December 14, 2020Submitted:
December 14, 2020Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie PassActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Chair Peak Arm - above Snow Lake DivideTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
5300'Aspect:
NComments:
Skied the mellow terrain from 5300' on the Chair Peak arm North wrapping around East at about 4800' and then from Snow Lake Divide down to Snow Lake. Any terrain over 35 degs would slide R2-3. We stayed in terrain that could only produce a D1 avalanche. Propagation was minimal but the snow would slide the full length of a given path. Everything was sliding on the 12/9 layer 30-50cm down depending on loading. Above 5000' shooting cracks were associated with the slides suggesting the potential for greater propagation and larger slides. We set off between 5-8 slides.Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, IsolatedDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
NoObservations
Skies were obscured all day with light (S-1) snow fall from 8:30-3:30. We noted the stiffness of the new snow changing around 9:30 and reached our high point around 10. I'd expect a decent avalanche cycle as more load is added.