Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Andrew Carey
Observation Date:
December 23, 2020
Submitted:
December 23, 2020
Zone or Region:
West South
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Mazama Ridge above Paradise, Mt. Rainier

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Size:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person
Elevation:
6,000 ft asl
Aspect:
S
Comments:
S, SW, and W aspects. Mazama Bowl: crown started on W aspect and ran hundreds of yards along south aspect--longest crown we've ever seen there in 30 years. Looked liked rain caused new snow to sluff off crust. Also apparent rain-caused cornice failures at the beginning of upper Stevens Canyon.
Photo:

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Parking lot to 4th Xing to Mazama Ridge, out to Stevens Canyon via Knife Edge Ridge to Van Trump Memorial then to waterfall in Stevens Canyon, back the same way, the down a 35 degree slope in the Mazama Bowl just to the right of the crown line. 2-6 inches of fine powder over a bulletproof crust everywhere we went today.

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