Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Cal Smith
Observation Date:
March 11, 2023
Submitted:
March 11, 2023
Zone or Region:
West North
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Chair 8/ White Salmon Glacier Approach

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
No
Avalanche Type:
Dry Loose (Sluff)
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
4,200’
Aspect:
NW
Comments:
8”/6’ soft slab on 1F+ crust ascending a slope near 40* , swept off feet downslope 20’. Harmless, just had to walk around a different way.

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Dry Loose (Sluff)
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
4200’
Aspect:
N
Comments:
8”/ 15’/ 40’
Natural Dry Loose

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
Yes, Isolated
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
No

Observations

At 0430 Baker Data portal total snow depth reported an additional ~9” since the 9th. Already committed to an early wake up, we walked into the forest to examine conditions ready to leave.

Mod. S/SE Wind with gusts exceeding 30mph; snow was quite dry w grauple mixed throughout; up to a 2” thick wind slab in exposed leeward terrain

Media

We observed this right as we strolled up
Shooting cracks ascending the slope lookers left of the previous slope (35-40*)
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