Observation: Public

Name:

Dallas Glass

Observation Date:

December 14, 2020

Submitted:

December 14, 2020

Zone or Region:

West South

Activity:

Skiing/Snowboarding

Location:

White Pass: Miriam Creek

Did you trigger any avalanches?

Yes

Was it intentional?

No

Avalanche Type:

Dry Loose (Sluff)

Size:

Size 1: Relatively harmless to people

Elevation:

6200

Aspect:

NE

Comments:

Several loose dry avalanches were entraining snow and running fast. While none were large enough to bury you, they could easily knock you off your feet.

None reported

Snowpack: There's between 6 and 8" (15-20cm) of soft snow over the 12/09 crust where we traveled. This soft snow is made up of two storms (12/9-10 and 12/13-14). Between these two storms surface hoar formed. We continued to find it in the snowpack about 4" (10cm) above the very prominent 12/09 crust. The surface hoar is relatively small (3-6mm), but we found it on most aspects between 5700' and 6400'. Shovel Tilt Tests consistently proved to be the easiest way to find the SH since there is not yet a slab above.

The 12/09 crust is very strong and boot supportable.

Some wind redistribution of the snow at ridgecrest, but minimal drifting, and now sizable slabs observed.

Weather: Overcast with brief periods of broken skies. Very light snow showers most of the tour. Winds generally light out of the SW.

Tilt test were the easiest way to find the buried Surface Hoar

There's still areas of very thin coverage out there. Particularly southerly aspects and wind exposed ridgelines.