Observation: Public

Observation Details

Observed Avalanches

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Terrain: Traveled all aspects near and below treeline today between 3000-5300'. Mt Snoqualmie (Phantom Trees), Peaks north of the Phantom area, Thunder Creek via col at 5000', Avalanche Mt Col, Snow Lake, Snow Lake Divide, and Source Lake

Avalanche: Besides the cornices, I was able to trigger several very small loose dry avalanches on slopes greater than 40 degrees. These slides did not travel very far.

Snowpack: The recent snow seems to be generally right-side-up and well bonded to the 3/18 crust. Any unstable snow was localized to wind-affected terrain. I caused several long cracks on wind loaded slopes near treeline (see photo). Pockets of wind slabs were identifiable and avoidable.

The new snow increased dramatically above 4000'. At lower elevations 2-4" (5-10cm) of recent snow. Higher in the terrain, on Southerly aspects: 6-8" (15-20cm) of snow over a thick melt-freeze crust. On Northerly aspects: 10-12" (25-30cm) of snow over a very thin and friable melt-freeze crust.

Weather: Overcast to obscured skies with near constant light snowfall. Noticeable warming mid-day. Winds in the morning were light even at ride crest. Snowlevel near 2500-3000' at noon.