Date of Observation: 04/02/2023
Name: Evan Ross
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Route Description: Slate River to Cascade
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: The natural loose wet avalanche activity has remained fairly minimal, with fewer small loose wet avalanches and more roller balls.
Got a closer look at the natural slab avalanche, that ran late Saturday afternoon, above the Slate River Rd. This avalanche ran on a SW aspect at 10,800ft. The best guess is that this was a natural storm slab avalanche that failed during the rapid warming event that occurred on Saturday. The slab looked to have run on the old snow interface. Near the avalanche debris, the top 10 cm of the snowpack had become wet and the remaining storm snow below was dry.
Weather: Partly Cloudy, Light to moderate winds with blowing snow off the high peaks.
Snowpack: The wind was penetrating to valley level and helping keep snow surfaces somewhat cool. Loose wet avalanches appeared to be more problematic yesterday. The wind in the alpine looked like it was doing more eroding than actual wind-loading.
Photos:-
- An example of a few small loose wet avalanches that probably ran on 4/1. East, 11,700ft.
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- Blowing snow off of Purple Mountain
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- South 11,500ft. 3cm crust over dry snow.
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- 4/1 natural avalanche that occurred above the Slate River Rd.
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- Previously wet snow over dry snow below the 4/1 natural avalanche that occurred above the Slate River Rd.
