Observation: NWAC Forecaster
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
April 10, 2022Submitted:
April 10, 2022Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Dallas GlassZone or Region:
West SouthLocation:
White Pass Backcountry (All aspects near treeline)Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
YesCracking?
IsolatedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedMedia/Attachments
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
ObscuredTemperature:
21°FWind:
Moderate , WNew/Recent Snowfall:
Storm total (HST) since 4/8: 24-26", 24 hour snow (HN24) ~12-14", it accumulated 4" on our skin track during out 5 hr absence from that area.Snowing S-1 to S1 all day (roughly 0.5" per hour). Winds were still very gusty in the morning and blowing snow at all elevations. They started to ease mid day and were more localized to just ridge tops by 3pm. While we could occasionally see the sun through the clouds, it never really gave us more than a faint hint of blue.
Avalanche Observations
| # | Date | Location | Size | Type | Bed Sfc | Depth | Trigger | Photos | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Apr 10, 2022 () |
Gunsight Chutes E 6200ft |
D1 R1 |
SS-Soft Slab | AS-Skier | Report | |||
| 1 |
Apr 10, 2022 1:30 pm () |
3rd Peak, Hogback, Scatter Creek SE 6600ft |
D1 R1 |
SS-Soft Slab | S-New Snow | 1ft |
AS-Skier c-Intentional |
Report | |
| 1 |
Apr 10, 2022 10:40 am () |
Sucker Bowl, Hogback Mt. E 6400ft |
D1.5 R1 |
SS-Soft Slab | S-New Snow | 1ft |
AS-Skier c-Intentional |
Report |
Visibility was not very good, but we could see most of the main blows and chutes in the Miriam Creek drainage at some point during the day. No natural avalanches were noticed.
Snowpack Observations
Storm Snow: Several storm snow layers could be found in handpits and snow profiles. The most prevalent layer was about 12" below the surface. It produced isolated cracks on test slopes and occasionally failed in uptrack tests. Despite our best efforts we could not get this layer to produce an avalanche on many small but steep test slopes.
The bond of the new snow to the 4/8 crust was much weaker today than what we saw yesterday in nearby terrain. We looked at this layer on several aspects and found the same thing, it failed relatively suddenly. Due to the bad weather, we could not confirm any facets or other weak snow, but it is suspected. We even had a large column test fail and propagate all the way across the block on this layer. This potential weak layer is much too deep for uptrack tests and small test slopes.
Wind Affected Snow: Signs of wind-affected snow were easy to find, even in the upper below treeline band. Drifts, textured surfaces, sharp cornices, and blowing snow were all seen. Wind slabs ranged from 4" to more than 24" deep. Due to the swirling nature of the winds, we found signs of potential wind slab on all but due west aspects.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wind Slab
|
|