Quick report
- Collapsing
- isolated
Numerous natural avalanches were observed in wind-loaded areas. Interestingly, no avalanches were noted in sheltered slopes. This raises the question of whether those slopes were near the threshold for natural release and may require an external trigger, such as human activity, to initiate the collapse of the weak layer. I experienced a collapse the second I stepped off the snowmobile track to dig a pit. I'm guessing it's widespread still but putting isolated since I was mostly on a machine.
Snowpack
I conducted a snowpit on the east fork of Baker Creek, along the side of the snowmobile trail at 7,100 feet. I identified a sensitive layer of buried surface hoar, which collapsed when I stepped off the trail. A large column test showed propagation after 10 taps, 69 cm down, on a layer of buried surface hoar measuring 5–7 mm in size. In additional hand pits throughout the Baker Creek bottom, the slab appeared to be consolidating, with hardness ranging from 4F+ to F. The storm snow has notably settled over the past few days, and the slab is becoming thicker and stiffer.
Avalanche
- Size
- D2.5
- Count
- 5
- Aspect
- E
- Trigger
- N
- Elevation
- 9700 ft