Summit/Marias Pass

Quick report

*Other recent wind slabs were unreactive to ski cuts. • A new surface sun crust was beginning to form below 6000’ on previously sun-exposed slopes by late afternoon as these passed into the shade (easterly aspects). • Slopes above 6000’ and sheltered from the wind had about 6-8” of recent settled powder. • Impressive wind re-distribution of snow in this area with entire mountainsides scoured to the ground on more westerly aspects alongside with wind loaded gullies that had drifts pushing 20+ feet thick. • Pike Creek SNOTEL looked to be in good shape and the snow depth readings here are accurate. • Other than the avalanche, no other signs of instability observed.

Weather

Cloud Cover

scattered

Wind Loading

light

Recent Snowfall

2

Snow Avail For Transport

moderate amounts

• Partly cloudy with on again/off again sunshine. No precipitation. • Light winds from the SW. • Wind loading today was minimal in this area. • Daytime high temperatures reached the mid-30s °F at Summit/Marias Pass.

Avalanche

Size

D2 R2

Type

SS

Aspect

NE

Trigger

N

Elevation

6800 ft

Looks like it was likely triggered sometime in past 48 and likely by a chunk of falling cornice from above