Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Andrew KieferObservation Date:
December 10, 2020Submitted:
December 11, 2020Zone or Region:
West NorthActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Bagley Lakes/Artist PointObserved Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Wet LooseSize:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a personElevation:
4500Aspect:
NComments:
Large wet loose avalanches on the north aspect of Table MountainPhoto:
Signs of Unstable Snow
None reported
Observations
A wet avalanche cycle occurred December 7-9 as over 3 inches of rain saturated the snowpack. Wet loose avalanches entrained significant snow as they ran downslope and some grew large. A few glide avalanches (the release of the entire snowpack as a result of gliding over a lubricated ground surface) also occurred in areas of shallow snow covering smooth rock slab. Most avalanches ran in northerly terrain above 4500ft where rain fell on a drier snowpack.
Fortunately, the cooling trend allowed the snow surface to refreeze (12/9 crust), and the snowpack to gain strength. Pulses of new snow since Wednesday night have improved travel conditions, and the new snow appears well bonded to the crust below.
Media
