Avalanche

Crystal Mountain Backcountry. Chicken Head & Joe's Shoulder.

ReidoWest Slopes South
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Observation photo 1Observation photo 2Observation photo 3

Quick report

Hand shears noted surface crust and 30cm+ of dry cohesive snow on a firm layer. No formal test conducted. Wide spread Surface hoar on everything north facing, larger in the mid elevation band The surface crust became the main hazard for downhill skiing & riding. While breakable everywhere we encountered it, it varied in strength making some nice pow turns and other terror turns with an audible warning.

Avalanche

Above 5500' on North facing aspects observed wide spread 1 day old avalanche debris in Speed Control, Joe's Shoulder &the next ridge over (Sourdough gap zone) had signs as well.