Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Conrad LillenessObservation Date:
March 21, 2021Submitted:
March 21, 2021Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie PassActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Lundin N Couloir and S (Cocaine) CouloirTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
5,800Aspect:
NComments:
Location: Top 10 meters of the N Couloir of Lundin. Depth: 25 cm Width: 10 meters Length: 10 meters. It ran to the basin floor but didn't pick up much snow along the way. Cause: Skier 2 entered the couloir after skier 1 descended and was off to the side. Skier 2 entered with a similar but more aggressive ski cut, which triggered the slide. The slide broke beneath skier 2's feet and did not carry them. Attempts at prevention: Prior to the slide, we cut the cornice, as well as ski cut the entrance to the couloir. It was not until skier 2 entered the couloir that the slope slid.Photo:
Signs of Unstable Snow
Observations
8 am to 1:30 pm
Broke trail up Lundin, skied the north couloir, boot packed back to the saddle, then skied the south couloir and out.
Shovel sheers and column test confirmed NWAC report of wind loading with slabs in places. There were signs of instability on unsupported areas between kick turns, but, once farther than 3 feet from the last kick turn, there were no signs of instability. The wind loading and slab was most prevalent in the N Couloir, where a wind slab was up to 30 cm deep.
Skiing conditions were great. Packed powder on both aspects. S Couloir had partially buried avalanche debris scattered throughout the second half of the descent. Lots of roller balls on west aspects below cliff bands.
It was snowing lightly most of the day. Wind was low. Visibility was intermittent.
Media
