Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Austen Beason
Observation Date:
December 14, 2021
Submitted:
December 14, 2021
Zone or Region:
West South
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Worm Flows, Mt St Helens

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
~5600
Aspect:
E
Comments:
Wind slab on steep, loaded ridge. ~50’x50’ slab, 30-45cm thick, ran ~50-75’. Ski cut trigger off ridge top to enter sheltered gully.

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
Yes, Isolated
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
No

Observations

Attempted Mt St Helens ascent/ski via Worm flows route. Below treeline, up to 60cm of storm snow, no cracking or whoomping, minor wind loading where open enough. Pole probing had storm snow on very firm base, maybe 10cm thick and slightly softer below.

At and above treeline, significant wind transport on SW-W winds, crossloading ridges, poor visibility. Cracking in wind load generally 5’-10’, ski cut triggered one wind slab, SS-d1/r2-ASc-S.

Media

Public Field Report: Worm Flows, Mt St Helens
Hard to see, but wind loading off ridgetop and small cornice formation.
Public Field Report: Worm Flows, Mt St Helens
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