Public Observation #2023-1144

Observation Details

Submitted:
April 8, 2023 6:37 PM
Observation Date:
April 8, 2023
Zone or Region:
Central Cascades
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Ball Butte

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
No
Avalanche Type:
Hard Slab
Size:
D1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
Aspect:
NE
Comments:

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
- Select -
Size:
- Select -
Elevation:
Aspect:
- Select -
Comments:

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Triggered a wind slab in NE bowl of Ball Butte just off the summit on a convex rollover at the steepest part of the bowl, ~6 inch crown propagated for ~25 feet horizontally. Avalanche slid ~100 vertical feet. Insufficient volume of snow to bury a person not laying down in its path.

The face that slid had already had at least 7 skiers go down it that morning.

Media