Quick report
- Aspect
- Northwest
- Red Flags
- Cracking, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Elevation
- 2682 m
My assessment from backcountry travel on 1/9 is in line with the forecast. VERY dangerous avalanche conditions are widespread at mid and upper elevations. While breaking trail uphill there were two different occasions even in the very shaded/gladed area I was in where my weight caused a big "whumpf" and the snow cracked 3-5 feet around me in every direction all the way down to the persistent weak layer that was just inches from the ground. On both of those occasions if I had been in avalanche terrain (slope >30 degrees) I would have very likely been caught in a slab avalanche around 1ft deep and gone for a ride over rocks and downed trees. Personally, I'll be staying away from any slope steeper than 30 degrees for a long time.