Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Luke Wright
Observation Date:
May 13, 2023
Submitted:
May 15, 2023
Zone or Region:
West Central
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Glacier Peak Wilderness

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Wet Loose
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
7000
Aspect:
N
Comments:
Early afternoon Saturday we were able to easily trigger wet looses on the northern aspects of White mountain with very light ski stomps.

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Wet Loose
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
7000
Aspect:
N
Comments:
North faces were shedding heavily later in the afternoon, particularly near rock bands.

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Northern events were heavily shedding and seemed to be undergoing transition to spring like conditions rapidly. Southern aspects were very wet, but more stable as they seemed to have consolidated better during the last heat event. We abandoned our summit bit for glacier given concerns about exiting the same northern slopes the following day. Very little refreezing occurred at our 7k bivy site and turns were still soft exiting at 6:30AM Sunday.

Massive avalanche crowns & debris (estimate D3+) on the opposite side of the valley, but believe they were much older.

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