Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Nate Hough-Snee, Jonah ManningObservation Date:
March 16, 2023Submitted:
March 16, 2023Zone or Region:
Stevens PassActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
North ChiwaukumObserved Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Hard SlabSize:
Size 3: Could bury and destroy a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few treesElevation:
6900'Aspect:
WComments:
We observed the entire west face of North Chiwaukum went big sometime in the last week during the snow and wind events of the 10/12-13 of March. 13 March - HS-N-R3-D3. Additional shallower (older?) spun in crowns (D2+) were less apparent, but visible on nearby Middle Chiwaukum.Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
NoDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, IsolatedObservations
We went out for some sun and a view of the ranges near Stevens Pass. Under clear skies and cool temps we saw widespread wind transport from moderate easterly winds. Transport was observed on all exposed peaks and ridgelines above ~5500'. Gazing across valley, we saw the westerly avalanche on North Chiwaukum. While it may have gone during the loading event of the 10th, but may as well have gone during or after the easterly winds from the and snow the 12-13 of March. The crown depth was hard to estimate, but a couple meters seems to be right with a width in excess of 100 meters.
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