Public Observation #2022-708

Submitted:

April 26, 2022 12:07 AM

Observation Date:

April 23, 2022

Zone or Region:

Central Cascades

Activity:

Skiing/Snowboarding

Location:

Broken Top

Did you observe any avalanches?

Yes

Avalanche Type:

Wet Loose

Size:

D1: Relatively harmless to people

Elevation:

8000

Aspect:

Comments:

a day or two old, small to medium point releases mostly initiated at base of rocks

None reported

Snow Pit on Broken Top
44.08023, -121.69553
Elevation 8,441 ft
South Aspect
about 35 degree slope
12:35 pm
sunny, increasing temps
Obvious signs of point releases nearby in last few days
Snow Pit:
Obvious week layer 80 to 90 cm from surface
1 finger firmness above and below week layer
Tested bonding to weak layer with compression test and extended column test
Compression Test (CT0) sudden release of block at week layer when isolating block (sides isolated and block released when cutting back of block), high energy release but surface was a bit rough at about Q2
Extended column test (ECTP14) sudden release of block at weak layer at 14 taps, high energy release of entire block which broke after hitting ground, smooth surface Q1
A few skiers skied from saddle above pit did not trigger anything
Skied below pit and out of area avoiding slopes of about 32 degrees

Observation Details