Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Daniel MacDonaldObservation Date:
April 30, 2023Submitted:
May 2, 2023Zone or Region:
Mt HoodActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Cooper Spur & Eliot/Languille/Coe GlaciersTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Wet LooseSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
7200’Aspect:
NWComments:
Not 100% sure I caused it, but it wasn’t there prior to me crossing just below ridgetop of moraine and then it was when I looked back shortly thereafter. Likely dislodged a rock that rolled and triggered a point release.Observed Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
OtherSize:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a personElevation:
8000-9000Aspect:
NEComments:
Few different ones observed on Snowdome/Languille Glacier tour: 1) D2-3 (either wind or wet slab) previouslu observed that ran relatively far on low angle Eliot bench. 2) Icefall initiated nearby on Eliot and another also guessing icefall initiated D2ish slab below lower Coe icefall.Signs of Unstable Snow
Observations
This observations crosses two days 4/29&30. On 4/29 Cooper Spur Tie-in Rock (VERY WARM & STICKY WHEN DESCENDING) mid-morning ski tour, noted party of four late morning climbers on Cooper Spur. Nothing of note during mid-late morning climb though did seem to notice lots of loose wet activity later on. No instability signs on lowish angle morning ski tour itself. While reconning ideal access point for Eliot late afternoon, I likely kicked loose a rock that initiated a small D1 point release.
On 4/30 Snowdome and Languille Glacier-West ski tour, no signs of instability, but documented the D1 above as well as the large previously-observed Eliot wind or wet slab that ran relatively far on the bench (likely a divot depression near the exit kept it from crossing the standard use trail…alpha angle anyone?). Also noted icefall related ones nearby on Eliot as well as on Coe Glacier during Snowdome/Languille-West (VERY PLEASANT AND NON-STICKY) mid-late afternoon ski descent.
No idea when any ran beyond my point release. No other signs of instability beyond the late morning, long-sun-hit 4/29 Cooper Spur climbing party and the increasing SW winds that knocked me over a couple times on the skin/crampon climb up and out of Languille.
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