Public Observation #2023-1150

Observation Details

Submitted:
April 20, 2023 5:18 PM
Observation Date:
April 18, 2023
Zone or Region:
Central Cascades
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Elk Mountain

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Hard Slab
Size:
D4: Could destroy a railway car, large truck, several buildings, or a substantial amount of forest
Elevation:
5800
Aspect:
N
Comments:

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Hard Slab
Size:
D4: Could destroy a railway car, large truck, several buildings, or a substantial amount of forest
Elevation:
5800
Aspect:
N
Comments:

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
Yes
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
Yes

Observations

Skinned up to the Elk Mountain area around 0930 on 4/18/23. Partly sunny with temps in the mid 20s. Observed an approx. R4D4 slide on the North facing slope @ about 5800'. The slide had a massive crown that was the length of the whole face. The slope was approx. 40 degrees and had about 15cm of fresh snow from the night before. The slide took out approx. 35-40 tress with it.

No pit dug and no skiing to be had. Decided to go to a few other zones and stay in some safer territory. Each zone we checked out that morning also had evidence of recent slides.

Be safe out there!

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