Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Sam LuthyObservation Date:
March 12, 2021Submitted:
March 12, 2021Zone or Region:
OlympicsActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Klahhane bowlObserved Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a personElevation:
6000Aspect:
NComments:
Avalanche triggered from the ridge crest and traveled 1300 ft to the valley bottom. Soft slab with a 2-4 ft crown that entrained a lot of loose snow with it and triggered other small slabs along its path. Debris was 4-5 ft deep at the bottom and 80 ft wide. SS-ARu-R2-D2.5Photo:
Signs of Unstable Snow
None reported
Observations
A beautiful day for skiing in the Olympics with clear skies and only lite winds. Snow quality was very good on north aspects, and shaded terrain down to 4600ft. Many groups in the area were encouraged by the apparent stability of the snow pack and were skiing steep lines. This changed when a large wind slab avalanche was triggered at the very beginning to Holy Roller and ran to the valley bottom. My group was in the valley when the side occurred and conducted a search of the debris. Luckily no one was caught or carried in this large slide. All groups exited Klahhane Bowl via the safest possible routes. The snow leading back town to the road was heavy and wet, with lots of roller ball activity, expect a crust tomorrow.