Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 14, 2023
Submitted:
January 14, 2023
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Dallas Glass
Zone or Region:
West South
Location:
Crystal Backcountry: Bullion Basin, Crown Pt, Morse Creek, Pickhandle Basin/Point, Bear Gap, Hen Skin Lake (All Aspects Near and Below Treeling)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Media/Attachments

Snowprofile in the Bullion Basin area of the Crystal Backcountry. You can still see the 1/4 Surface Hoar layer.
Blowing snpw and sharp wind drifts along a ridgeline loading W aspects.
A very small wind loaded pocket on a W aspect near treeline.
Huge cornice overhaning a NW aspect in Pickhandle Basin.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Temperature:
27°F
Wind:
Moderate , E
New/Recent Snowfall:
New snow: above 5500 ft 1-2 in (2-5cm)

Generally dry and overcast. A few snow showers around 1pm, but not much in the way of new accumulations. Skies had moments of blue sky but were overcast most of the day. Winds were only really noticeable right at ridge crest when you were exposed to E winds.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
1 Jan 12, 2023
() 		Dog Leg Chute
N 6100ft 		D2
R2 		WS-Wet Slab N-Natural
Dog Leg Chute: N, 6100ft. WS-N-D2-R2-U, Likely occured during the Jan 12-13 cycle
Report
3 Jan 12, 2023
() 		Bear Gap
NW 5900ft 		D1.5
R2 		WS-Wet Slab 1ft N-Natural
Super Bowl, NE 6000ft, WS-N-D1.5-R1-U, Likely from Jan 12-13 cycle
Bear Gap: Wet Slab crown, N 5800ft, WS-N-D1-R2-U
Report
1 Jan 12, 2023
() 		South Bowl Pickhandle Pt
SE 6100ft 		D2.5
R2 		WS-Wet Slab 1ft N-Natural
South Bowl of Pickhandle Pt. Flanks and crowns from a recent wet slab avalanche. SE 6100ft WS-N-D2-R1-U
Report
3 Jan 12, 2023
() 		Pickhandle Basin
N 6100ft 		D2
R1 		WS-Wet Slab N-Natural
Crowns in Pickhandle Basin. N 5900ft, WS-N-D2-R1-U
Report
3 Jan 12, 2023
() 		E Face Crown Pt
E 6300ft 		D2
R2 		WS-Wet Slab 1ft N-Natural
Several wet slab crowns on the E Face of Crown Pt. Poor visibility made it hard to tell if this was one event or several different slides. NE-E 6300ft WS-N-D2-R1-U
Report
1 Jan 12, 2023
() 		Bullion Basin
NW 6200ft 		D2
R2 		WS-Wet Slab 1.5ft NL-Loose Snow avalanche
Bullion Basin: NW-6300ft, WS-N-D2-R1-U
Report
5 Jan 12, 2023
() 		Bullion Peak Basin
E 6100ft 		D1.5
R2 		WS-Wet Slab 1ft N-Natural
E, 5900ft, WS-N-D2-R2-U
Union Creek/Bullion Basin Saddle W 6100ft WS-N-D1.5-R1-U
Report
Dog Leg Chute
Bear Gap
South Bowl Pickhandle Pt
Pickhandle Basin
E Face Crown Pt
Bullion Basin
Bullion Peak Basin

This appears to be a relatively widespread avalanche cycle of D1.5-D2 wet slabs. The depth of many crowns suggests that they failed on the 1/4 interface . While I did see Loose Wet slides, they were not very common and often very small.

Snowpack Observations

Below 5500ft: Rain at lower elevations really took a toll on the snowpack. Open creeks and holes abound. A 3-4 in (5-8cm) breakable crust is forming and strengthening. It was not ski nor boot supportable today. Avalanche activity at these lower elevations was minimal.

Above 5500ft:
-Minimal new snow did not seem to be creating any hazard.
-A weak breakable crust (3-5in/ 5-12cm) was found everywhere except wind scoured ridges. It was stronger than at lower elevations, but still not supportable.
-Water had generally made its way 6-10 inches (15-25cm) into the upper snowpack, but drier snow was found below this wetting front. However, despite drier snow above the 1/4 interface and surface hoar seem to have experienced at least some water where I observed it.
-Extensive runnels suggest water is moving out of the snowpack.
-Winds were drifting and blowing snow into very thin (2-4in/ 5-10cm) slabs on W-NW aspects.
-While cornices were limited the few that were out there were very large and often in unusual locations overhanging W-NW slopes.



Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Wet Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
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