Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Andrew Accuardi
Observation Date:
March 11, 2023
Submitted:
March 12, 2023
Zone or Region:
West South
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Little Baldy in the Gifford Pinchot wilderness

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Wet Loose
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
2500'
Aspect:
E
Comments:
The slide happened in a snow field just south of little baldy. It was about 20 feet long and maybe 7 wide. It slid for about 12-15 feet. The top 2" of the snow pack was pinwheeling all afternoon.

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

We traveled from washougal. We dug a snow pit and noticed that the pack was mostly consolidated, but did have a slab layer deep that could be triggered with decent distruption so we stayed on lower angle terrain. We also noticed that the top 2" of the pack was pinwheeling and figured that was the most likely slide we would see. Riding conditions were heavy granular.

Media

Public Field Report: Little Baldy in the Gifford Pinchot wilderness
Public Field Report: Little Baldy in the Gifford Pinchot wilderness
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