Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Austin Siadak
Observation Date:
March 20, 2021
Submitted:
March 21, 2021
Zone or Region:
Stevens Pass
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Mount Howard

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
No
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
Approx. 5400’
Aspect:
N
Comments:
Skiers in our party triggered a couple of very small avalanches when skiing just beneath steep convexities. None exceeded 4” or so in depth, and none ran farther than 30’ or had a crown wider than 40’.

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Observations

There were between 6-10cm of fresh, high quality snow above 5000’ on the N Face. Below this was a firm and slightly icy crust. Sluff ran a good distance on steeper slopes, but was fairly shallow and did not step down.

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