Public Observation #2023-1003

Observation Details

Submitted:
January 21, 2023 7:13 PM
Observation Date:
January 21, 2023
Zone or Region:
Central Cascades
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Potato Hill

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
D1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
4750
Aspect:
N
Comments:
Dropped some cornice chunks which released shallow soft slabs 2-5” deep and up to ~15-20 ft wide, limited by terrain

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Observations

Storm came in stronger than expected, observed snowfall > 1”/hr for a few hours. Cornices started off somewhat sensitive and sensitivity increased through the day- particularly on N-NE-E aspects.
Lots of cracking and some shallow soft slab propagation on test slopes and Lee aspects.

Media