Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Enji Cooper
Observation Date:
December 4, 2021
Submitted:
December 4, 2021
Zone or Region:
West South
Activity:
Walking/Hiking
Location:
Northway Trail (Crystal Mountain)

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Hiked up Northway Trail and summited Northway Notch Peak and Northway Peak.

Snow below treeline was low coverage (~4"), snow near treeline/near the peaks where wind sheltered had a HS 12"~16" (spike on glacier ice axe went straight to ground). The top layer was dry loose wind transported powder, whereas the bottom layers were consolidated snowpack (likely rain crust). Bootpen was ~6" tops when traveling downhill.

Much of the ridge lines were blown relatively clean, leaving heather and rock exposed. Wind seems to have been blowing S and N.

Media

Northway Peak from West.
Bootpack down Northway Trail.

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Dry Loose
Comments: 
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