Observation: Public

Name:

Grant

Observation Date:

December 31, 2021

Submitted:

December 31, 2021

Zone or Region:

Stevens Pass

Activity:

Skiing/Snowboarding

Location:

Jim Hill

Did you observe any avalanches?

Yes

Avalanche Type:

Dry Loose (Sluff)

Size:

Size 1: Relatively harmless to people

Elevation:

5500-6200

Aspect:

E

Comments:

Small point release dry loose avalanches present on steep facing N and E aspects of the Jim Hill bowl.

None reported

The main avalanche problem was dry loose with the 8-15 inches of unconsolidated powder on top of a significant crust (likely Solstice). Saw evidence of point release small sluffs and dry loose avalanches on steeper slopes that seemed to be only the top ~4inches of fresh snow. They didn't seem to propagate much or trigger deeper layers. Hand shears and test slopes shoed the potential for more fresh snow to slide, but we couldn't get it to propagate or move into the crust below. Surface hoar present everywhere > 5400 feet. Snow was something special for skiing!

Older avalanche debris was observed in the Henry Creek Basin to the west of the waterfalls. Appeared to be triggered from high up on steep faces/cliffs.

Dry loose sluff on steep aspects at higher elevations

Avalanche debris old slides on East facing aspect on the Henry Creek drainage (near the waterfalls)