Big thanks to the riders for sharing their report of a collapsing snowpack (large whumpf) from the lower hills near Seattle Ridge.
Observation: Turnagain
Location: Base of Turnagain - Motor side
Late in the day my group was playing on a lower rolling hillside. One of our group ( #1) was navigating through a small gully and I had hiked the 50 feet across to help him out. Another partner (#2) was on top of the adjacent hill (small – about 15 feet high) to help mark the snow with branches and such on the hill and gully ( got to flat light).
#1 needed to sidehill the bottom of the gully to get out. He did so without any problem. While doing that, rider #2 heard and felt the snow under him shift and sink with a whumpfing sound. The entire side had shifted and collapsed due to #1 taking out the base anchor while doing a low side hill.
No further exam of the area was done due to flat light and time to leave.
Note: drop pin is approximate, danger above us was minimal and discussed.
Heads up… the danger is out there!
Forecaster Comments
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | No |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | Yes |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observer Comments
Large whumpf felt and heard by rider.