Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
NGObservation Date:
April 2, 2023Submitted:
April 3, 2023Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie PassActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Great Scott Bowl, Alpental Back BowlsTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a personElevation:
4640'Aspect:
WComments:
Location: Great Scott Bowl Elevation: 4640' Aspect: West Type: Storm Slab Size: D2 Depth: 6" - 12" Width: ~200' Length: ~100'Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
NoDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, WidespreadObservations
At approximately 16:15, two skiers descended Great Scott Bowl via Alpental Resort. Skier 1 descended first into the bowl followed by Skier 2. As skier 2 passed the lowermost tree anchor points on the ridge they triggered a D2 storm slab avalanche. Skier 2 yelled to alert Skier 1 that they triggered an avalanche. Skier 2 was swept off their feet approximately half way down the bowl and buried to above their waistline. Skier 1 moved to assist Skier 2 with unburial. During unburial, the skiers observed a loud 'whumpf' noise from elsewhere in the valley. Neither skier sustained injuries.
On the descent, two other D1 storm slab avalanche slide paths were observed on west-facing slopes in Great Scott Bowl at lower elevations.
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