Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Bunkhouse Billy
Observation Date:
March 25, 2023
Submitted:
March 25, 2023
Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie Pass
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Kendall Mtn

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
No
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
5300
Aspect:
N
Comments:
Silver twins (right line), crown depth 8-12", ran approx 500 feet.

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Wet Loose
Size:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person
Elevation:
ATL
Aspect:
E
Comments:
Old wet loose observed, slid off of West Kendall likely during warm up earlier last week/last weekend.

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

South, east and west aspects had a stout crust with increasing snow depths as we gained elevation. Approx 3-4' in trees lower down, around 12-16"" in open areas up high. On steep slopes, this new snow would sometimes slide on the crust while skinning, but we experienced no cracking and saw little evidence of wind transport.

We skied the left silver twin without experiencing any instability and climbed back up to ski the right twin. The second skier down cut out further left and found a thin spot that appeared to trigger a soft slab (potentially wind loaded). The slide caught up to him and carried him approx 10-20' before he self arrested. Debris continued downslope approx 500'.

Debris field was fairly wide at bottom (approx 50-75') but skinning back up much of the snow was still unconsolidated.

Media

Looking up at crow
Looking up at debris
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