Great Basin/South Basin

The described observations, photos, and conditions are from a trip to Baxter State Park from Feb 16th-20th. We found a variety of conditions that can be summarized as a deep snowpack in the Great Basin, and much shallower in the South Basin. We observed the North Basin from afar but were unable to make any snowpack analysis. We primarily skied on S, SE, and E aspects in the Great Basin that included the Y, Saddle, and Hamlin Gullies. On 2/17, these aspects were very wind-affected from the recent storm that recorded 12 inches of snow at Chimney Pond, and a seasonal total of 110 inches. We observed cracking underfoot on isolation on South slopes at treeline, and specific cracking of thicker windslabs at 3400 feet. High winds throughout the day built windslabs approximately 6 inches thick. The snowpack in the Great Basin was estimated to be from 100-180cm thick and highly spatially variable. On 2/18, we woke up to three estimated D2 slides in the Y and the first Hamlin Gully. Southeast aspects at treeline had 6-8 inches of stiff, stubborn windlass on SE aspects, with plenty of wind scouring. Above treeline, the snowpack was completely scoured or corniced on the Hamlin Gullies from overnight high winds. Observations throughout the day confirmed decreasing wind speeds and stubborn wind slabs in the Great Basin. Moving into the South Basin revealed a much shallower snowpack of 40-60cm. A landslide occurred in the bottom of the Chimney Couloir sometime during a rain event earlier this winter that resulted in a ton of debris in the floor of the basin. While booting up the climbers right side of the South Basin on an East aspect, we observed ice pellets from the 1/16 storm about 6cm below the snow surface and a layer of faceted grains 46cm down. The layers read as followed; 6cm windslab into ice pellets, 20cm hard slab, 10cm windslab, layer of faceted grains, impenetrable bed surface. This layer wumphed on us, but failed to propagate. We were able to ski the bottom of the Chimney Couloir but the area needs much more snow and shows signs of large avalanche activity this year (D3-3.5). On 2/19, decreasing wind speeds allowed us to observe the snowpack at elevation in the Great Basin. We dug a pit at 3750' on an East Aspect that revealed the following layers; 0-10cm PH, 10-28cm F1, 28-47 4F, 47-55cm FH, 55-60cm faceted grains, 60-72cm FH, bed surface. An ECT failed to propagate and was non-reactive. However, horizontal force on the isolated slab resulted in propagation that was planar on the layer of facets buried 55-60cm deep in the snowpack. We also observed a natural avalanche on the Y and on the second and fourth Hamlin Gullies. Skiing revealed a stubborn 20cm thick 1F slab in isolated and wind-protected terrain features. Wind slabs existed on NE, E, and SE aspects above treelike, while hard slabs existed on E and SE aspects in the middle elevation bands. The sun provided great skiing on the SE aspects of the Hamlin Gullies, which are filled in nicely and can be skied from the ridge once the wind slab becomes more stubborn. We observed 2-3 natural avalanches each night, and found signs of a lingering weak layer of faceted grains.

Great Basin/South Basin

Quick report

Weather

Snowpack

Avalanche