Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Darin BerdinkaObservation Date:
March 25, 2023Submitted:
March 25, 2023Zone or Region:
West NorthActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Bagely BasinTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
YesAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
5000’Aspect:
SEComments:
Easily triggered soft slab avalanches on steep convex rollovers.Observed Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a personElevation:
5000’Aspect:
NComments:
As described elsewhere a skier triggered a reasonably large avi dropping into a steep convex rollover on the north face of Table.Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
NoDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, IsolatedObservations
Skied SE, E, W aspects in Bagely Basin finding variable stability in the ~18” of new snow. Soft slabs on steep convex rollovers were easily triggered.
Approaching the Grotto on east face terrain we experienced significant whomping (whumpfing?). An ECT resulted in propagation on the crust at 15 taps. ~8-10” slab with ~8-10” loose snow above. We bailed but others continued without incident.
I’d continue to be somewhat cautious going into Sunday in steep terrain. Expect crust on south facing slopes.