Observation: Public

Name:

Andy Goodwin

Observation Date:

March 22, 2023

Submitted:

March 22, 2023

Zone or Region:

West South

Activity:

Walking/Hiking

Location:

Mt St Helens Worm Flows Route

Did you observe any avalanches?

Yes

Avalanche Type:

Wet Loose

Size:

Size 1: Relatively harmless to people

Elevation:

4500

Aspect:

SE

Comments:

Triggered by a small cornice failure. Probably ran Tuesday. No other signs of recent activity.

None reported

The sun was out until late morning, then clouds got denser and lower until light snow started at around 2 PM. At 3 PM, snow from 3600-5500' was warm and soft with boots sinking 6-12". At 5500-7500', there was no sign of melting by 3pm. There was a crust 2-4 cm thick that often popped off and slid down the mountain as climbers passed. Above 7500', there was no crust and just a deep layer of soft snow. Boots often sank a foot or more. At 8200', there was an icy crust about a meter down but no signs on instability.

Note: The road to Marble Mtn was nicely plowed today, but NOAA is forecasting 2-3' of snow there from Wednesday night through Saturday morning. The road may be in rough shape this weekend.

Fragile cornice along the east side of the climbing route at 5000'