Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
JEFF HAMBELTONObservation Date:
December 3, 2022Submitted:
December 5, 2022Zone or Region:
West NorthActivity:
Snowmobiling/SnowbikingLocation:
ExcelsiorObserved Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a personElevation:
5500Aspect:
EComments:
Recent avalanche viewed from across the valley, 1-2' crown, 200-250' wide, ran 700-800'. Start zone was a steep, rocky convexity in a lee aspect near the top of the slope. Avalanche was on the E face of a minor peak in the Bearpaw zone.Signs of Unstable Snow
None reported
Observations
Profile obtained at 5800' on a W aspect NTL revealed an average of 160cm HS, with a right side up structure of newer snow above a rain crust down around 50cm. Below the obvious rain crust, we found a 20-30cm layer of strong faceted snow above an irregular crust layer, and strengthening older snow below. No basal facets were observed. Snowpack tests for propagation on suspected weaknesses in the newer snow were negative. Keeping an eye on the evolution of the rain crust and the faceted layers below.