Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Note: Just stated learning about avalanche hazards so not all details may be relevant.
Route: Randal to NF-23 to Lake Takhlakh to Babyshoe Pass to NF-80 to South Climb trailhead in lifted Jeep Wrangler with show chains. Turned back about a mile from the lake. (46.274294, -121.602153)

Saw numerous instances of where the snow moved down sloped areas on its own without human interaction. Was not able to complete the route as planned due to getting stuck in the snow and high centered. Recovery entailed a lot of digging, over 3' down. The snow had a glazed over shell; it was hard to move until the shell was broken then it was significant easier. While digging down the layered effect was very noticeable. To me what seemed like the most important observation was a layer closer to the top (maybe 1-1.5' down?) that was very grainy and loose, like a hail storm layer. On my side was a slope down, guessing ~50' total (nothing at the bottom easily accessible or used by people). As I was shoveling heavy snow that way for my vehicle recovery, I could hear many times the heavy chunk of snow I tossed over did not stop where it landed; it hit the ground and then moved down the slope.