Quick report
- Cracking
- widespread
Beautiful blue sunny day. 7* F at the trailhead. Up to 15” of new snow. Lots of wind transfer was noticed in deposits behind ridges of all aspects. We proceeded with caution and mitigated safety by sticking to low angle terrain in areas where wind slabs were prevalent and significant assessment before proceeding up the steep slope at the bottom of the ridge access to mini gash bowl. Below are my observations. Wind slab hazards. 2 natural avalanches were observed (last 2 photos) 3rd photo is dry loose point release at the top of mini gash (gash knob) bowl that then triggered a wind slab below. Last photo wind slab at the lower portion (7300’) of mini gash bowl just before it funnels into the trees on a rollover in the slope. Observed shooting cracks in wind affected snow and propagation in denser wind slabs. Intentionally triggered a few wind slabs on short Slopes for data points on the way up. Hazards mostly occurred above 6500’ on north to north east aspects. We had fun. Skied the low angle terrain in mini gash bowl (a bit punchy and wind effected but really fun turns) and then exited to avoid the terrain trap and steep terrain at the bottom.
Avalanche
- Size
- D2
- Count
- 2
- Aspect
- NE
- Trigger
- NL
- Elevation
- 8200 ft
Dry loose point release on shallow rocks below the ridge that triggered a windslab below.