Northwest Avalanche Center - Public Observation

Name:

David G

Observation Date:

May 26, 2023

Submitted:

May 27, 2023

Zone or Region:

West South

Activity:

Skiing/Snowboarding

Location:

Chinook Pass

Did you observe any avalanches?

Yes

Comments:

Observed the debris of a (most likely) large wet slab avalanche in the meadows several feet below and to the southwest of Sheep Lake. The slide snapped several 8-10" diameter trees and carried them 400-500ft into the meadow where they came to rest alongside a strand of bowed trees. Debris field was too consolidated to probe but I estimate it was 8-10' deep. See picture for more detail. Likely start zone appears in upper left of photo. Bed surface has since melted out.

None reported

Headed up to Chinook Pass with my splitboard to check out the snowpack. The last three weeks of warm weather really did a number on the snow! The north face of Naches Peak is still rideable down to the American River. Looks like it will remain covered for another week or more.

Went across the street to Sheep Lake to check out the couloir. Intermittent snow on the PCT between the parking lot and the meadows south of Chinook Peak. Expect to get muddy. Then 3-5ft of skinnable (but heavily needled) snow all the way to the lake. Sheep Lake is starting to melt out but the couloir can still be ridden most of the way up. Also, it looked like the east face of the southeast saddle into Deadwood Lakes can be ridden for another week or so. However, another skier in the area said Deadwood Lakes basin itself was super thin. He recommended against an attempt to loop it back to the parking lot.s