Observation Date:
December 18, 2020
Submitted:
December 18, 2020
Zone or Region:
Stevens Pass
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
5000' north slopes - 5700' east slopes in Stevens Pass zone
Did you observe any avalanches?
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person
Elevation:
5600'-5800'
Aspect:
NE
Comments:
We revisited the site of a large, remotely triggered soft slab avalanche that initiated on a storm snow density change 20-30cm down and then stepped down to fail on small, rounding facets above the 12/9 rain-freeze crust. Crown height to 55cm with a width of 500' in connected terrain. SS-ASr-R3-D2-I/O.
Did you see shooting cracks?
No
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, Isolated
Observations at 5000' N aspect in large trees and the scene of the avalanche- 5700' ENE near treeline. CT BRK 14 on density change 25 cm down and ECTN 21 down 45 cm in heavy trees. No propagation noted in these tests at 5000'. Same layers likely deeper in open environments.