Chinook Pass- Spring 2010

Just wanted to provide an update- last week saw some of the most active avalanche conditions that I've experienced in some time. Snowballs were putting large avalanches to the valley floor, near constant natural activity Tuesday and Wednesday, and still seeing slabs to 2' from smaller explosives and wet loose slides triggering slabs. A larger buried shot (~150#) produced a 2.5-3.0 meter slab!

I would anticipate the activity to subside when conditions cool this week, but we've now had several nights w/o a freeze, so probably still generating avalanches, even on previously slid slopes.

Quick side note- We had two skiers come through our work area this week following the PCT South (Crystal to Chinook)- never made contact, but it was on Wednesday and I must admit that the conditions were crazy. I just can't see why someone would willingly travel through this terrain when conditions were like that, let alone while we were doing avalanche control.

Be safe out there, and please respect our zone while we are working.

Cheers,

$

Nice work DOT!
I was up at Chinook Pass yesterday (see post "May 14-16, 2010, Cryatal & Chinook Pass pre-corn" here on TAY. I second your feelings towards excessive avalance activity, still ongoing.

NB: There seems to be a double-wide trailer sized block of snow trying to sepparate itself from the hill and shift onto the newly plowed rd at the first hairpin uphill from Cayuse Pass.

It must be frustrating. You plow it, it slides. Plow it again, now with rocks and trees, it slides again . . .

It looks like we are on track for next weekend, unless weather or equipment throws us a curve ball.  Avalanche conditions subsided last week and the crews were able to make some good progress. 

Keep an eye on:  www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/chinook/

For a story and photos on the annual pass-clearing work (complete with quotes from Stimbuck) go to: www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/05/26...-day-weekend-opening

Looks like tomorrow at noon...

Thanks to everyone for your cooperation and patience while we open Chinook.

$

Just a reminder to folks traveling in and around the Chinook area- we will continue to monitor snow conditions and may perform control activities as needed. Also, please avoid the slopes above the highway east of Chinook Pass- this is the control area and we don't want people triggering avalanches onto the highway either.