Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Matt PawelskiObservation Date:
January 10, 2021Submitted:
January 10, 2021Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie PassActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
East of Kendall Lakes area: 10T 0622382E 5254337N, Elevation 4735' Slope 58° Aspect 283°Observed Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Wet LooseSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
Aspect:
EComments:
D1-D1.5 wet loose avalanche debris observed on a 40-50+ degree slope; root cause is likely sluff from above as the trigger point was just below a sheer rock cliff where snow seems to have fallen from a tree 10-15 ft onto trigger point; distinctly fans out ward with a large debris pile at the bottom. Active pinwheels, rollerballs, highly reactive to brief sunlight; consumed half of the slope, would estimate width to be 50 yards at the base, running all the way to the conclave at the bottom of the slope; seems to only affect only the upper-most snowpack,.Signs of Unstable Snow
Observations
Fairly recent slide debris with a subtle dusting from the morning's light snow. Occurred on an West-Northwest aspect on a very steep slope slightly east of Kendall Lakes area. Upon warming the sunlight seemed to cause more reactive where numerous roller balls and pinwheels formed. This was a very steep slope that I don't think many folks ski, but was informative to witness the effects of the sun on this slope and the potential danger in this zone that seems to have been frequented by many. Occurred on the steep (45-55+ slope) just of the Kendall Lakes area, east of the lake basin/saddle of the middle Kendall Lake. 10T 0622382E 5254337N, Elevation 4735' Slope 58° Aspect 283° (location data taken from suspected trigger point).
It was educational to observe such a small trigger point allowing such a large slide all the way to the run out zone.
In addition to this, almost all slopes steep enough to produce avalanches on the entire trip were producing roller balls. Most seems to have happened overnight or in the early morning hours, as all debris was very lightly dusted.
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