Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Renee Shapiro and Jess Trimble
Observation Date:
December 10, 2021
Submitted:
December 10, 2021
Zone or Region:
Stevens Pass
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Stevens Pass, Skyline

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Toured up Stevens Pass to check out new precipitation and take a peek at the weak layer above the early December crust. We saw between 10-30 cm of new precipitation, very light and low density snow.
Weather: Overcast, very light snowfall , light winds increasing throughout the morning from the West.
Snowpack tests: HS= 65cm, Elevation= 4,950 Aspect= E, Slope Angle= 19cm Temp= 28 degrees F
New precipitation particles from 65-35 cm (fist), decomposing fragmented precipitation particles from 35cm- 22cm (4fingers), 22-16cm (4 fingers), 16cm-8cm stout crust from 12/4 (Knife), 8cm-0cm wet snow to ground (4 fingers). A compression test resulted in CTM5 on the layer 35cm down, and CTM12 on the layer above the crust. Extended Column Test was ECTX, no fractures initiated in the 30 loading steps.
Did not experience signs of instability throughout the tour

Media

Lower crystal card at stout early December crust
Public Field Report: Stevens Pass, Skyline

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Wind Slab
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