Quick report
- Cracking
- specific
- Collapsing
- widespread
Stormy and sketchy so we kept it real tight and avoided steep avalanche terrain. The one small 32° slope partially exposed to the wind that we did cross produced a D1.5 avalanche failing 80cm down on the 1/4 weak layer (See attached avalanche event). We know this layer is especially weak, so we focused on looking at the slab character throughout our tour. Overall the slab quality (or lack there of) varied by aspect and elevation. Firmer slabs were found between 7500-8500, possibly due to warmer temperatures. This elevation band was where we experienced the most cracking and collapsing. Above 8500' and on north aspects the slab was slightly less firm. Hand shears still failed easily on 1/4 interface. Mavericks was well sheltered from strong west winds and recent snow was fairly right side up. S1 (1cm/hr) snowfall from 10:00-16:00.
Talkative snowpack with plenty of obvious signs of instability. Any slopes slighty open and exposed to the wind produced more signs of instability (especially cracking slab surface).Snowpack
Snow depths above 1/4 interface: 50-60cm @ 7500', 70-80cm @ 8500, 80cm @ 9500'. Widespread easy hand shear failures on 1/4 interface. Total height of snow from 8000-8500': ~150-170cm. Snow above 1/4 was right side up, with varying hardness of F to 4F-.
Avalanche
- Size
- D1.5 R1
- Type
- SS
- Aspect
- E
- Trigger
- AS
- Elevation
- 8000 ft
Avalanche was triggered on a small 32° slope that terminated down 50' on low angle terrain and propagated 100' across. Failed on 1/4 weak layer comprised of surface hoar above a 10cm thick layer of 1-2mm weak facets (F hard). Slab above weak layer was F to 4F- hard.