Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Paul StanleyObservation Date:
January 31, 2022Submitted:
January 31, 2022Zone or Region:
West NorthActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Shuksan Arm, Mt. Baker Ski AreaTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Hard SlabSize:
Size 3: Could bury and destroy a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few treesElevation:
5800Aspect:
NComments:
North Face of Bills Bulge on the Shuksan Arm, Remotely triggered by footsteps from a safe point on a ridge about 20 feet away from starting point of the slide. Noticed whumpfing during several steps approaching the high point on the ridge. Approx 250 feet wide, running about 450 feet downslope. 1-2 foot deep wind slab. Top of run has been exposed to sun the past 2 weeks, giving the snow a firm freeze/thaw crust to breakaway from near the propagation line. Triggered at about 3:30pm.Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
NoDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, IsolatedObservations
Snow was well bonded below the ridge line where wind loading was no longer present. Wind loading presented a potential hazard near the ridge line, especially where recent sun had formed a breakable freeze/thaw crust.
Media
