Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Josh Hirshberg and Irene HenningerObservation Date:
February 21, 2021Submitted:
February 21, 2021Zone or Region:
Stevens PassActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Hwy 2, Skyline LakeObserved Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Size:
Elevation:
Aspect:
Comments:
As of 13:00, widespread avalanches ran during the day to D2.5. Type and size varied with elevation and location:Stevens Creek, Moonlight area, E, 4,500ft - 2-3 soft slab avalanches, 30-40cm deep, size D1.5
Lichtenberg Mtn, SE, 5,600-4,400ft - Many (5-10) avalanches at size D1-2, with at least one D2.5. Wet loose avalanches originating below 4,600ft. Couldn't determine how many were slabs. Some likely originated in dry snow. All had wet debris. One notable (under the rock slab on the east end of the ridge) stepped down roughly 1.5 meters into older snow mid-track.
Rock Mtn, Berne chutes, SSE- 3-4 sizeable debris piles to size D2.5. Couldn't see start zones.
Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, IsolatedDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
NoObservations
We investigated D2.5 avalanche below Skyline lake, 4920ft, S (mentioned in the Stevens forecast) from the 20th. We confirmed tracks entering crown, and assume it was skier triggered. We found a notably softer layer (Jan 24 FC) resting on the mid-January crust matrix 160cm below the surface. This was likely the weak layer. The crown was completely drifted in from intense blowing snow in the past 18hrs. Adverse weather and avalanche conditions prevented a full crown profile. Nearby on lower-angle south aspects, we found the mid-Jan crust consistently 240cm below the surface with less to no overlying weak layer.