Avalanche danger

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Fun CH
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Re: Avalanche danger

Post by Fun CH »

Yea, got to watch out for 'tree bombs' during a wind event and in burn areas especially, whole trees coming down.

Nice thing about the wind is that it blew a lot of snow off our roof.
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding--Nick Lowe
Can't talk to a man who don't want to understand--Carol King
PAL
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Re: Avalanche danger

Post by PAL »

Incredible for sure. There will be no off track skiing for us. I don't think I have ever seen how the wind shaped the snow on the side of Patterson mountain. We were leaving Sun Mtn. trails in the nick of time. On Little Wolf, there was unloading starting. We were almost done and a bunch of trees decided to unload all at once. I headed for the center of the trail when I heard a snap. Just ducked and covered and the world went white. Hollered to my ski buddy(Howard) to make sure he was allright. You can bet we skied out of there fast. But other people were just going out. I wanted to say to them, don't go! Could hear the wind in the distance-up towards Gardner, a howl. And the hill tops were blowing and saw avalanches over on Balky Hill as we came down 20. Some avys on Twisp River Rd. coming down the hills above the Big Buck and Aspen. At Elbow Coulee the wind had made little balls which at some point were rolling down the hill.
Exciting and a little scary. Did not see one tree blown down, however. Temps were anywhere from 41 at Sun Mtn. at the lake to 25 on the way to Twisp. 39 up Twisp River. Glad to be home, snug.
Pearl Cherrington
Fun CH
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Re: Avalanche danger

Post by Fun CH »

There has even been a few avalanches observed during that storm on the steep slopes near Pipestone canyon. Skiers call that the "front country" and with 18" of new snow out here, that is enough snow loading to be a concern.

Now with the wind blowing hard east of Twisp, wind slabs and massive drifting makes it pretty difficult to get around on skis in non wind protected areas.

Incredible storm.
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding--Nick Lowe
Can't talk to a man who don't want to understand--Carol King
PAL
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Joined: Tue May 25, 2021 1:25 pm
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Avalanche danger

Post by PAL »

Read to the end. Avalanches could occur where we normally don't think they will. It doesn't take much snow to get covered.
Chris you probably know more about this. But from NOAA, an update.

The following message is transmitted at the request of the
Northwest Avalanche Center.

...The Northwest Avalanche Center in Seattle has updated an
Avalanche Warning...

* WHAT...Very dangerous conditions continue across the northern and
central Washington Cascades while extreme danger exists in the
Stevens Pass region.

* WHERE...Extreme danger for Stevens Pass. High danger for other
parts of the West and East slopes of the Cascades from the
Canadian border down to and including the I-90 corridor.

* WHEN...In effect now through Jan 7th Fri 18:00 PST.

* IMPACTS...Heavy snow, strong winds, and milder temperatures will
create very dangerous avalanche conditions Friday. Large
natural avalanches will occur at all elevations including open
slopes in the forest.

* PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Backcountry travel is not
recommended. Avoid all areas where an avalanche may start, run, or stop. Additionally, unusually dangerous avalanche conditions will impact towns and cities east of the Cascades. Potentially
destructive and deadly avalanches, including avalanches from roofs
of buildings, will likely pose a threat to lives and impact houses
and structures. Watch for snow sliding off roofs and any open
slopes covered with snow.

Consult https://www.nwac.us/ or www.avalanche.org
Pearl Cherrington
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