Quick report
We climbed Clark Mountain from the White River approach 1/17 to 1/19. Debris piles indicated that a widespread avalanche cycle had occurred before our trip at elevations above 4000'. Nearly every solar aspect above 35 degrees had slid. Most slides were wet-loose point releases from cornice fall or similar, but several slab crowns were observed above the Boulder Pass Trail and on the east face of Luahna Peak. Above inversion: Deep corn snow was present on south-facing slopes by mid-day. We set off large pinwheels during our south-facing descent, and runnels made for a bumpy ride from 7500' to treeline. On shaded aspects, the snow ranged from hard ice to small wind-hardened drifts to 1-2' of sugary, unconsolidated snow underneath a breakable crust. Daytime temperatures reached above freezing and the sky was clear. A weak refreeze occurred at night. Below inversion: A cloud layer persisted throughout our trip at around 3500'. The snow in the forest was icy with a generally ski-supportive crust. We noted 1” hoar frost crystals in the clearings. Travel conditions were difficult due to blowdowns and open creeks.
Avalanche
- Size
- D2.5 R2
- Count
- 2
- Aspect
- SE
- Trigger
- N
- Elevation
- 8300 ft
Evidence of past avalanches observed, but no activity during trip