Avalanche

Timberline ski area vicinity: Salmon River canyon

Ryan MatzMt Hood
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Quick report

Cracking
specific

Also observed a new rime/freezing mixed precipitation crust forming on snow surfaces on all aspects near and above treeline in the Timberline area. New, soft wind slabs in slightly wind sheltered lee terrain were touchy and relatively small, but actively growing. Generally 6-8” thick at 9:30 this morning. Stiffer new wind slabs also observed on lee slopes with more direct wind loading. These were stubborn, but would crack under skis if undercut by a skin track. While less likely to human trigger, they could produce a larger avalanche. New wind slabs were generally stiffer at higher elevations, 7,000’, compared the 6,000’ treeline area. All new wind slabs shared a layer of very low density snow as a weak layer at these elevations, 6,000-7,000’. This weak layer is likely the snow that fell yesterday on minimal wind.

Avalanche

Size
D1 R2
Type
SS
Aspect
E
Trigger
AS
Elevation
6500 ft

Easily triggered multiple small (D1) soft wind slab avalanches on test slopes.