Avalanche

Rock Creek

Blackbird Mountain GuidesEastside Region
View on map
Observation photo 1Observation photo 2Observation photo 3Observation photo 4

Quick report

Collapsing
isolated

Many dry loose on all aspects above 10400ft, mainly below rocks/cliffs on steep slopes. Most had slid overnight during the storm. Small wind slabs specific to leeward steep slopes on northerly aspects. Localized whumphing above 11200ft on E-NE aspects. No other instabilities observed on slope skied. Whumphs were heard on a NE aspect between 11000ft and 11800ft on slopes ranging from 20-30 degrees, upon ascent only.

Weather

Air Temp
below freezing
Cloud Cover
scattered
Wind Loading
moderate
Recent Snowfall
30-90

Storm snow fell between Friday and Saturday mornings with S1-S2 precip observed. Saturday: OVC in am with calm S wind; between 1100-1400 FEW; after 1400 OVC with S-1 and L-M SW winds. Sunday am: FEW with L SW winds increasing to OVC with S2 and M SW winds by 1100.

Snowpack

At 11400ft NE aspect under Ruby Wall: 2-3ft of upside storm snow with multiple weak layers within. Underneath, a buried P crust with 3-5cm of 4F facets underneath, then a strong P-K mid pack beneath that. I could feel the snow from last year (K hard) starting 100cm down.

Avalanche

Size
D1 R2
Type
L
Aspect
NE
Trigger
N
Elevation
11800 ft

Many dry loose on all aspects above 10400ft, mainly below rocks/cliffs on steep slopes. Small wind slabs specific to leeward steep slopes on northerly aspects.