Quick report
- Collapsing
- widespread
At the trailhead of Center Ridge, observed collapsing on the flat at the start of the approach where no one was traveling and had no trigger. There was no new snow on the snowpack, weather was partly cloudy and low 30s, no wind at the trailhead in the morning and increased to about 10-15 mph by late afternoon. About 300 ft up onto center ridge in another flat, our group gathered in the afternoon and collapsed an area about 100ft x 100ft as we stood around. Surface hoar was observed in the sun as we were traveling back out. Our training took place on a slope that was about 20 degrees and did not get any shooting cracks, collapses, or releases. Lots of collapsing experienced and observed both remotely and with traveling on flats. Facets remained underneath the rain crust with a mix of wet snow as well. Coming down from the training site, there was a small layer of surface hoar noted on SW aspects.
Weather
- Air Temp
- Low to mid 30s
- Cloud Cover
- scattered
- Wind Loading
- moderate
- Recent Snowfall
- 0
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
The weather today cleared and while there was not very much wind down low, the pictures attached show the forecasted 20-30mph winds up high moving snow.
Snowpack
We did not dig any pits but during the training, however, we dug out multiple practice buried persons and noted a rain crust on top, and mix of wet snow and faceted snow beneath that crust. It was not noted how deep the rain penetrated during the recent storm event but it was clear during travel and training that the snow pack remains unstable.
Avalanche
There was an avalanche on the face across from the Center Ridge parking lot that looked like it had released sometime in the last few days. Best estimate is about 300 ft wide and 1000 ft up from tree line with debris traveling all the way down to tree line.