Quick report
Weak snowpack structure exists. Recent large natural avalanches show the sensitivity of the weak sugary snow at the base of the snowpack. Caution is still warranted on steep wind loaded slopes with underlying weak structure.
Skiers staying at the Wing Ridge ski camp over the weekend reported a large natural avalanche cycle Sunday 1/21 and Monday 1/22. Avalanches were seen in South Bowl, First Bowl and Second Bowl. These observations were confirmed by local skiers who had good visibility of the terrain on Tuesday 1/23. I only made it to the avalanche in South bowl and had poor visibility during my tour.Weather
- Air Temp
- 31
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- none
- Rain Elevation
- 5500
- Recent Snowfall
- 15
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
Intermittent snow showers, warm foggy air, calm winds.
Snowpack
I dug a pit at 8100' on a North aspect in Salt Creek Bowl. I found 150-180cm of snow, this area was wind loaded. I conducted an Extended Column Test (ECT) and Propagation Saw Test (PST) with no propagating results in either test. When I pried on the column I isolated for my ECT the whole column broke on the basal facets. Similarly, after multiple passes with my saw through my PST column it failed in the weak snow near the ground. A PST on the January 4th interface produced no results, this layer was less pronounced than I've seen in other locations. See pit profile for hand hardness information.
Avalanche
- Size
- D2.5 R3
- Type
- HS
- Aspect
- N
- Trigger
- AS
- Elevation
- 8300 ft
Skiers staying at the Wing Ridge ski camp over the weekend reported a large natural avalanche cycle Sunday 1/21 and Monday 1/22. Avalanches were seen in South Bowl, First Bowl and Second Bowl. These observations were confirmed by local skiers who had good visibility of the terrain on Tuesday 1/23. I only made it to the avalanche in South bowl and had poor visibility during my tour.