Bollettino valanghe

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Fri
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
3 · Marcato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
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In sintesi

A handful of large human and snowmobile triggered avalanches were reported from multiple areas in West North. These avalanches are complicated compared to typical avalanches we see in this zone. Thursday will bring additional wind loading, precipitation, and warming temperatures. Take a step or two back when it comes to terrain choice and err towards lower angle, wind sheltered terrain to reduce the risk of triggering an atypical and quite dangerous avalanche.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    1–2.5

    Three different human triggered avalanches were reported from Canyon Creek and Schriebers Meadow (click for observation) on the south side of Baker. These avalanches were large, surprising, and quite dangerous. They are not typical wind slabs but they occurred in obviously wind loaded terrain. They are not everywhere but they are in enough places to warrant additional caution. The layer thought to be responsible for these avalanches - a layer of facets combined with a melt freeze crust - is the same one suspected as behind the widespread avalanche cycle during the storm. In some places, a layer of graupel is found just above the facets.

    In addition to these big ones, numerous rider and skier triggered avalanches were reported from around the Baker Backcountry. They were smaller and shallower but still could take you for a ride or bury you in a terrain trap below.

    The safest bet for Thursday might just be to just stay in lower angle, wind sheltered terrain until the next round of precipitation, warming, and wind runs its course - and the pattern of recent avalanche activity is better understood. 

     

    (2/8/2023)

    Large snowmobile triggered avalache at Schriebers on the south side of Baker. East aspect at 6300'. Triggered from red circle. No one was caught in this one.

    Photo: NWAC Public Obs

Avalanche Discussion

In addition to small to large slab avalanches in wind loaded terrain, light to moderate precipitation at questionable snow levels are additional factors for Thursday. If snow levels climb higher than anticipated expect to see rain at low and maybe mid elevations and wet loose avalanche activity to go along with it. Keep track of changes in the weather and adjust your plan as needed. Give slopes with fresh rollers or other signs of warming or rain effect plenty of space. 

The current avalanche picture is tricky and information is sparse about the precise layering and other snowpack and terrain factors. Areas that saw widespread natural avalanche activity might have had weak layering cleaned out of steep terrain. Other places that saw less of an avalanche cycle might have numerous slabs just waiting for a human trigger to tip the scale. The easiest way to reduce uncertainty is to limit travel in steep terrain.

 

 

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