Quick report
- Cracking
- specific
- Collapsing
- specific
We headed up Phat Ridge to observe new snow amounts and wind-loading patterns. We experienced cracking, collapsing, and small new natural avalanches. All of the new snow on the climber's left side of the ridge (S/SE) was blown away in places, and deep drifts on the climber's right side (N/NW) were encountered. We selected to ski lower-angle terrain.
Cracking of the surface snow was evident around my skis. Numerous collapses were felt when near the leeward side of Phat Ridge. Another party that was heading to Wing Tip decided to turn around due to numerous collapses (whumphs).Weather
- Air Temp
- 23
- Cloud Cover
- broken
- Wind Loading
- intense
- Rain Elevation
- 5000
- Recent Snowfall
- 30 cm
- Snow Avail For Transport
- large amounts
Broken to Overcast skies with off and on snow (S-1 to S2) throughout the mid-day hours. Temperature in the mid 20's with winds light turning out of the West in the afternoon.
Snowpack
The new and windblown snow was talking to us today with cracking, collapsing, and propagating snowpack test results. The windward (SE aspect) side of Phat ridge was blown down to the melt-freeze crust in places, while the leeward (North/Northwest aspect) was loaded with 16-18" of dense snow. The snow felt inverted/upside down in places. At times, my ski only sunk into the surface snow an inch or two, but when I stepped out of my skis, my boot sunk up to my knee.
Avalanche
- Size
- D1 R1
- Type
- HS
- Aspect
- N
- Trigger
- N
- Elevation
- 8000 ft
2 D1 Wind Slab avalanches failing below large cornices