Avalanche

Henry Creek clear cuts

Mark CohenStevens Pass
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Observation photo 1

Quick report

We were surprised to see avalanches in these spots. Wind loading was top of mind and seemed very widespread. Jumping on a few test slopes yielded no results, so we continued up and skied lower angle terrain, taking care to avoid micro convexities.

Avalanche

Observed two D1 wind slab avalanches on steep micro terrain features. Both knew since Friday evening. First was very small (D0.5) on the far eastern reach of the low logging road, 3475' NNW aspect, triggered from the skin track by a party breaking trail (who then turned around as evidenced by the skin track). Second (photographed) was up a bit higher on the logging road at about 3600' NNW aspect, likely remotely triggered by a skier above the convexity where it failed. Both failures were on interfaces in the new snow, with crusts only observed deeper down in hand pits.