Quick report
- Collapsing
- specific
We observed a large, natural avalanche that encompassed both of our persistent slab problems. With rising temperatures and rain on snow, expect avalanche danger to remain elevated through the weekend. We went out to investigate a large avalanche that was reported in the Deer Creek avalanche path that covered the Anderson Creek road. This avalanche likely occurred sometime on Wednesday. Shooting cracks were observed above the road on several slopes. After investigating the avalanche we dug a pit on an adjacent slope to the avalanche path. After a few moments of digging down a foot or two into the snow, a large rolling collapse occurred across the entire slope and shook trees several hundred feet away.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 31
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- none
- Recent Snowfall
- 6-10
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
Valley fog and 34F when we left the truck. Warmer air aloft and thick clouds created a greenhouse effect. Snow surface was moist and trees were "pouring" water up to 7400' by mid day. Very light southern breeze was warm. No precipitation in this location from 1030-1530. Clouds were moving in from the north. 34F back at the truck at 1545.
Snowpack
This avalanche failed on a persistent weak layer that is buried anywhere from 50-70cm (2-2.5') deep. In some places it appears this avalanche stepped down to older, weak snow near the ground.
Avalanche
- Size
- D3 R3
- Type
- SS
- Aspect
- E
- Trigger
- NC
- Elevation
- 7350 ft
This avalanche failed on a layer of facets between two crusts. These crusts formed at the end of December and were buried on January 1st.