Avalanche

Mount Baker (North Side)

Zack McGillWest Slopes North
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Quick report

Very large avalanche on North side of Baker that broke in evening of 4/28 or early hours of 4/29. Generally fantastic riding conditions above 5k on cold snow with light wind affect. Generally right side up snowpack with some light wind affect. Moderate hand shears on new snow/old snow interface.

Weather

Cloud Cover
broken
Wind Loading
light
Rain Elevation
2,500'
Recent Snowfall
30-45
Snow Avail For Transport
moderate amounts

Mostly cloudy with some sun breaks.

Snowpack

30-45cm of new cold snow from 4/27-4/29 over 10cm of new, heavy snow from 4/26 above 5,000'. Rain below 5,000' on 4/26. Below this new snow is a supportable crust of variable thickness atop saturated wet grains. Yesterday afternoon, water could be wrung out of these grains.

Avalanche

Size
D2
Count
2
Aspect
NW
Trigger
N
Elevation
8500 ft

Very large avalanche on North side of Mount Baker and large calving of Colfax Icefall.