Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Jon StrahlObservation Date:
December 11, 2023Submitted:
December 11, 2023Zone or Region:
East CentralActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Ranger Road - Tumwater MountainObserved Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Wet LooseSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
2400Aspect:
SEComments:
Loose wet point release avalanche slid to the depth of the ground - roughly 6-8 inches deep of wet, consolidated snow - fanned to approximately 25 feet wide at the base where the debris hit a road cut.Signs of Unstable Snow
None reported
Observations
This was an interesting observation to me as I believe Ranger Road is widely considered a "safe" place to tour without significant exposure to avalanche terrain. This avalanche could possibly have been canine-triggered, as the start zone was slightly below the higher road cut. The consequences are higher here as the slope hits the road cut below, causing a deeper debris pile as a result of the road-cut terrain trap. This particular avalanche was not large enough to bury a person.
Media
