Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Forrest Simpson
Observation Date:
January 30, 2021
Submitted:
January 30, 2021
Zone or Region:
West North
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Swift Creek

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
No
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person
Elevation:
~4600ft
Aspect:
NE
Comments:
My partner and I both triggered soft slabs with wide propagation on adjacent convexities; slope angle between 35 and 40 degrees at the steepest point. We both escaped to a safe zone about 150 ft further downslope and could not observe the crowns, or debris. I believe they both propagated fairly wide, and estimate the depth of the slab to be between 1 and 2 feet deep, down to the 1/24 crust.

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Observations

The number of people touring in Swift Creek made it feel like a mini ski area. Don't let this fool you into letting your guard down! Things are touchy out there, be safe.

WordPress Lightbox