Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Sean Quinn
Observation Date:
April 11, 2021
Submitted:
April 13, 2021
Zone or Region:
West North
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Mt. Ann

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Other
Size:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person
Elevation:
4500
Aspect:
N
Comments:
Wind slab releasing around 4,500' on the N face of Mt. Ann, appeared to be a day or two old.
Photo:

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

At 8am on Sunday, April 11th, we started from Heather Meadows and arrived at the base of Mt. Ann just before 9am. Problems observed were significant cross loading, recent evidence of a wind slab release beneath Mt. Ann, as well as potential problems in glide cracks and wet-loose avalanches. 2cm of surface hoar were present on our approach, sagging/consolidating by the time we reached the saddle.

Our group did not witness any avalanches, but we did witness minor/manageable sluffing with our turns on N-facing slopes. While the majority of slopes did not show signs of instability, S-facing slopes on the saddle below Mt. Ann proved to release small soft slabs as we down-booted. In certain spots, these S-facing slopes also proved to be firm + steep and tricky to navigate without caution.

Winds were calm to non existent throughout the day, and we experienced little cloud cover until ~12pm. Solar radiation was well underway. Riding conditions were delightful for April; snow quality was fast and dry.

Media

Evidence of what appears to be a glide crack in the middle of the bowl
Glide cracks appearing beneath trees on the convexity, with wet loose debris beneath the trees at the right

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Glide Slab
Comments: 
Glide cracks observed throughout the bowl beneath Annette and Ann are becoming more apparent, notably the crack appearing above the skin track.
Observed Avalanche Problem #2: 
Wet Loose
Comments: 
Localized wet loose debris can be found around bases of trees on E and W facing slopes, likely caused by snow sluffing off the trees from recent storm snow. By 12pm, snow was regularly sluffing off of trees between Mt. Ann and Swift Creek (heads up).
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