Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Ryan RickertsObservation Date:
January 31, 2021Submitted:
January 31, 2021Zone or Region:
West NorthActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Mt Herman northTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a personElevation:
4650' and 5200'Aspect:
SEComments:
See belowPhoto:
Signs of Unstable Snow
None reported
Observations
Avoided open, steep terrain. Tried to stay lower down in the thicker trees. Aspects below 4000' did not trigger - they were just slush. Low angle, like 25-30 degrees, did not trigger. I was able to skin up through this zone through tight trees but skiing in any open terrain above 4400' is not recommended at this time. I would say Extreme is a better rating.
Media
Advanced Observations
Observed Avalanche Problem #1:
Storm SlabComments:
Many large avalanches had already ripped off the larger cliff faces above this basin without a human trigger, either late the day prior (1/30), overnight, or very early Sunday, as not much new snow had accumulated on top of the rubble piles filling the entire low-lying terrain. I investigated one side slope with low risk to see if it still held hangfire, and it slid 30 feet with a 2 foot crown, right down to that 1/24 crust layer.Now quite nervous and eager to get lower where the snow was thicker and more glommed on to the crust layer, I looked for the safest route down through thick trees and on low angle ridgelines. This was not adequate for my safety as a 1' top layer sluffed off as soon as the aspect tipped over 35-40 degrees (small treed zone pictured).
I tried to traverse out of danger quickly to ski cut the top of slightly more open slopes and get to bigger forest. The first roomy slope triggered and started a big slide that carried me about 100 yards through a few young trees about 12' tall, picking up more snow and beginning to consume me under the surface.
I worked on staying afloat and looking for a tree to grab. I was able to snag one with my right arm, at which point my face was just going under and losing daylight. I was able to self-extricate, with only poles buried on the other side of the tree and my skis still attached which I used as a shield against the trees. I was also wearing a helmet.