Avalanche

Stevens Peak

Izzy DavisSilver Valley & Bitterroot Mountains
View on map
Observation photo 1Observation photo 2

Quick report

Evidence of rain up to 6400' and above. The surface rain crust thickened with elevation and was mostly supportable at higher elevations. Rain runnels drained on all slopes. All avalnches looked to have failed within the previous 48 hours. 

Weather

Air Temp
27
Cloud Cover
broken
Rain Elevation
6400+

Tuesday was a lull from the atmospheric river events. Broken sky cover, with periods of sunshine. Intermitent fog on the high peaks with light SW winds and moderate wind gusts. Temps were below freezing

Snowpack

Temps dropped below freezing following significant rain. A breakable to mostly supportable crust covered the terrain from about 4500'-6400' (top elevation I reached, but the rain line was beyond that) which made for extremely difficult ski conditions. 

Avalanche

Size
D1
Type
SS
Count
3
Aspect
NE
Trigger
N
Elevation
6250 ft

6+ avalanches observed around the lone Lake drainage. Several avalanches started as wet loose slides that triggered larger slabs. I had eyes on one clear storm slab, but there were likely more. Sight was limited by intermitent fog. Avalanche size ranged from D1-D2. The largest avalanche was in a chute off of Stevens Peak, where there were two different crowns near ridge line that funneled into a chute and entrained more wet snow on the way down.