Northwest Avalanche Center - Public Observation

Name:

Matt Crisler

Observation Date:

January 9, 2022

Submitted:

January 9, 2022

Zone or Region:

West South

Activity:

Skiing/Snowboarding

Location:

MRNP - Eagle Peak trail to near Chutla / Wahpenayo peaks

Did you observe any avalanches?

Yes

Comments:

Wet loose slide started from the steep upper SW face of Chutla and deposited significant debris down to ~5200' at approximately noon.

Also observed plenty of evidence of larger slab and loose avalanches from during the storm cycle (with ~20cm of fresh snow covering the debris). All of the open, southerly facing slopes in the area had debris piles of varying degrees near and in some cases slightly into the trees below. The generally N-facing bowl formed by Chutla and Wahpenayo also had a significant amount of debris from the storm cycle with what appeared to be large R4 slide with a crown spanning pretty much entirely across the East aspect of Chutla.

None reported

Toured from Longmire up to the bowl formed by Chutla and Wahpenayo peaks. The below treeline areas had lots of debris from snow shedding from trees and potentially some smaller avalanches on steeper segments triggered by the trees. At higher elevations (5000') on the more open Southerly and West facing slopes, a light breakable crust was present in shaded areas with ~10 cm of very sugary, apparently faceted snow sitting below.

Northerly aspects in the bowl formed by Chutla and Wahpenayo held a much lighter zipper crust also over what appeared to be a layer of faceted snow. No signs of instability were observed while skinning including multiple up-track tests on both Northerly and West aspects.