Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Jerry Logan
Observation Date:
January 29, 2021
Submitted:
January 30, 2021
Zone or Region:
Olympics
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Mount Angeles Glades and West Bench

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Observations

Traveled from Hurricane Ridge road about 1/4 mile beyond the Klahhane Ridge trailhead up to the intersection with the Switchback Trail, then generally followed the trail to the area West of the Mount Angeles summit. Shifted to crampons for a summit attempt. Elected to stop at 6250' elevation where the chute to the summit was loaded with much hollow sounding, wind-transported snow. Observed some whumping around 5200'-5500'. Frequently encountered 1-2" of newer wind-transported snow over ice/crust making skinning more difficult than typical. Ski crampons recommended for the trip up.

Media

View toward Mount Angeles from ridge southwest of the summit.
View to the South showing wind-deposited snow.
Area West of the summit. 1-3 inches of wind-deposited snow over crust.
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