Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Manny Pacheco
Observation Date:
December 28, 2023
Submitted:
December 28, 2023
Zone or Region:
East Central
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Snow Lake / Nada Lake

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Wet Loose
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
5500
Aspect:
E
Comments:
D1, Snow lakes, point triggered roller balls, ran 50+ft

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
Yes, Widespread
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
Yes, Widespread

Observations

Plan was to ski enchantments traverse between Snow lakes to Stuart TH. Between 5k to 6.5k - E/SE aspect, obvious whumpfing due to collapsing rain crust on light snow was observed. Human load (and sometimes even ski poles) was enough to remote trigger shallow slabs on low angle terrain. The snowpack at this location consisted of light snow buried under ~2cm rain crust covered by light snow. Load would collapse the rain crust onto light snow. Connected terrain fractured up to 4ft away from load.

Media

Public Field Report: Snow Lake / Nada Lake

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Storm Slab
Comments: 
Snow Lakes, D1, very likely, 6 inches deep, below/at treeline
Observed Avalanche Problem #2: 
Wet Loose
Comments: 
Snow Lakes, D1, likely, 1ft diameter rollerballs, below/at treeline
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