Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Joel Schmelzle
Observation Date:
December 27, 2020
Submitted:
December 27, 2020
Zone or Region:
West North
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Artist Point

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
No
Avalanche Type:
Hard Slab
Size:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person
Elevation:
5000
Aspect:
NE
Comments:
Our party was about to ski a slope off the ridge heading to Huntoon point. Before entering we tested the slope with a ski cut/jump. A large crack propagated across the ridge and a slab avalanche slid down the slope. The crown was about 1.5 ft deep and slab slid on hard crust surface from before Christmas.
Photo:

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
Yes, Isolated
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
No

Observations

We’re thankful for the forecast today, which made us chose a smaller slope to investigate. Also using ski cut/jump saved us from getting caught in the avalanche, with ski partners ready if skier was caught. In retrospect, we’d probably rule out the slope given the forecast instead of seeking to test it. I have a video that shows crown better if you’d like to contact me.

Media

Crown from top after jumping, other photo from below after descending the slide path.
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