Quick report
- Cracking
- Observed
- Collapsing
- Observed
See avalanche summary and photos. In my travels, avalanche activity was most pronounced at lower elevations, where the extended inversion in early December produced a very weak layer of snow (widespread near surface facets and surface hoar) and where the new snow was the densest. As I climbed into middle elevations the frequency of collapsing decreased, though I was still able to trigger relatively confined collapses in many forest openings. I could see some upper elevation avalanche terrain that had not produced avalanches but I did not enter this terrain, instead focusing my efforts on sheltered terrain where ski quality was high and the snow was unaffected by wind. The new snow had yet to consolidate into much of a slab; most of the new snow at middle elevations was F- (hand hardness).
Avalanche
Lots of activity at lower elevations on steep slopes. Many road cuts and creek beds had avalanched naturally or had been triggered by plows. I was able to trigger many similar sides myself. All of these produced small avalanches due to the small terrain, but there was enough snow moving to be problematic in areas with significant terrain traps. Nearly all of these small slides were remotely triggered. Slides, cracks, and collapses were all failing at or just below the base of the new snow, down 45-60cm (1.5-2 feet).