Chinook Pass- 2009

Warm day Tuesday with good ski cut results. Wet loose avalanches easily triggered by skis, typically entraining the 4-6" of wet loose surface snow. These avalanches quickly grew and then triggered 2-3' + wet slabs.

Wednesday the temperatures cooled and the surface snow was less responsive to skis, though we did trigger a 12" + wet slab that triggered a deeper wet slab down the track. We also dropped a cornice onto the slope pictured in Kyle's post. Average crown height was 150-180 cm (5-6').

The wet slabs appear to be running on the old facet layer from January. The weak layer is now wet. We are also seeing this activity on multiple aspects.

Wow. Impressive.
So they are running on the Jan MEGACRUST layer!
In some areas that must be more than 3ft down .
Certainly an area of concern now that it's getting nice and lubricated.
Thanks for the update.

Any new gueses on opening day?
Appreciate your work.

Fortunately it was "open" this past Sunday.  That is for the traverse starting at Crystal. Great corn harvest day!
Best tour in south central cascades ATMO.
Below RB skating down 410 to the creek climb.

The wet slabs appear to be running on the old facet layer from January.  The weak layer is now wet.  We are also seeing this activity on multiple aspects.

Thanks for the update John.
It would be interesting to determine how long it takes for the now wet Jan crust layer to decompose and start percolating. So it can work toward a Buddhist snow pack (become one with everything) .

This week I noticed that an electronic reader board was placed in Enumclaw by Pete's Pool, usually that means the pass is going to open soon. Anyhow, I rode up to Cayuse today and the latest news I got from sources say that Cayuse Pass is going to open maybe mid or late week next week May 6th or 8th so keep your eyes open.
The snowpack looks mushy and about average, to above average for this opening.
They are still working on Chinook Pass (won't be open) and Stimbuck may follow with a warning that they are working up there in the midweek. He may suggest to steer clear of Chinook during weekdays because they may be doing some avy work and you don't want to be at the bottom of something when they set off a charge or ski cut.

Bad news, at least for me is that Stevens Canyon may not open anytime soon, if at all this year due to large washout.

You are correct Joe.

It would be great if BC travelers did stay clear of Chinook during the week while we are working. We really appreciate it.

Not much activity last week- cool temps kept us from doing any active avalanche control work. We are continuing to avoid most slopes, based on the conditions we experienced the previous week. When it was warmer we had ski triggered wet slabs and would expect those conditions to return. We did wee some tracks in the area last week and based on the conditions that we experienced previously I would not have skied across those slopes.

I haven't heard anything definite about Cayuse.

Looks like another week of cool, wintery weather. I'll post another update on Thursday.

Cheers.