Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Nate Hough-Snee, Ethan LockwoodObservation Date:
February 25, 2023Submitted:
February 26, 2023Zone or Region:
East CentralActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Icicle CreekTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
NoAvalanche Type:
Hard SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
4800'Aspect:
NEComments:
On steep convex rolls we were able to trigger a few very small wind pockets: HS-ARc-R1-D1Observed Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Dry Loose (Sluff)Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
6000'Aspect:
SEComments:
We saw solar cliff band wind features warm and drop small (to D1.5) loose wet avalanches that entrained dry snow.Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, IsolatedDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, IsolatedObservations
We went up to 6800' for some pow skiing and to have a quick look at conditions ahead of the incoming storm. Dust on crust at 2500' gave way to wind loaded and wind scoured slopes, with some sheltered snow in between. Temps were mild and winds were light easterly BTL and light west or calm NTL. Moderate SW winds and moderate transport were visible above 7500'.
We had a quick dig at 5300' on N near a spot where I had accidentally triggered a large D2 wind slab avalanche in the past:
HS was 180cm; HST varied with wind exposure, but roughly 25-35cm excluding stripped aspects.
CT11 sudden planar @80cm (MLK crust-facet below; 2mm), cash registering out of the pit
CT11 sudden collapse @25cm on Valentine's Day crust-facets-crust (1mm)
CT27 sudden planar @80cm, also cash registering out of the pit
ECTP11 @25cm
The underlying structure appeared worse than the underfoot travel let on, although we had several collapses to 2-meter radius, and cracks to 2 meters in wind-loaded areas. Ski quality had wind skin characteristics above 4500', but was overall better than expected NTL. We stuck with our travel plan based on our field observations and didn't let mission creep set in.
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