Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
We toured up the Alpental valley past Source lake and ascended to the north side of Chair Peak via the normal bootpack. During our ascent past Snow Lake divide we found 1-2 feet of light powder and encountered minor cracking on steeper wind loaded areas near trees, but nothing that propagated. We descended the northeast ridge of Chair back towards Snow Lake divide, where we encountered 1-2 ft of consolidated snow with some cracking, but little propagation. Soft wind slabs were present near the ridgeline and we triggered a small wind slab that propagated in a narrow bowl along the ridge. Snow was generally less reactive as we descended, with sluff management becoming more of a concern as we descended towards Snow Lake. Coverage on the exit is remarkably good for this time of year, but still plenty of alders and obstacles to avoid.
Avalanche
D1 skier-triggered wind slab on a NE aspect on the NE ridge of Chair Peak. Crown was approximately 10inches. Propagated 150ft within a confined bowl and only slid 50 ft or so. Skier was not carried and stayed on their feet.