Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Ryan MintonObservation Date:
February 7, 2023Submitted:
February 7, 2023Zone or Region:
East NorthActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Hwy 20 near Silver StarTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
YesAvalanche Type:
Dry Loose (Sluff)Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
6kAspect:
NComments:
Dry loose, D1, involving new snow on steeper convex features releasing on ski cuts.Signs of Unstable Snow
Observations
Traveled from hwy 20 up to 6.5k on north facing treed terrain near Silver Star. Snowing at highway level throughout the day though quite wet up to 3.5/4k with saturated snow underlying new accumulation.
Sky was completely obscured with up to S3 conditions throughout the day. Winds in our location were at times light from the west though at ridgetops occasional moderate gusts.
At 6115, HS 130cm with HST 15cm. Snow at new/old interface broke easily on column test (CT2). We identified what I believe to be the Jan 4 layer at 65cm down, failing on CT27. Given this and the storm slab hazard we stuck to protected/treed terrain for the entirety of the tour.
Dry loose activity observed as described above. Riding conditions excellent down to the 4k level, below that heavier new snow but still reasonable ski conditions.