Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Dallas GlassObservation Date:
January 3, 2021Submitted:
January 3, 2021Zone or Region:
West SouthActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
White Pass backcountry 6500-5500'Triggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
YesAvalanche Type:
Dry Loose (Sluff)Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
6300Aspect:
NEComments:
I was able to trigger 3 small loose dry avalanches on slopes greater than 45 degrees Sunday. This slide ran impressively far given the conditions. I was also able to intentionally trigger several small cornices. These features were stronger than I expected. Many of them have grown very large and I stayed well away from them.Signs of Unstable Snow
Observations
Terrain: I traveled in the 1st Bowl, Miriam Creek, Gunsight Bowl, and Lower Gunsight areas. Primarily covering NE-S aspects in the near and below treeline zones.
Snowpack: 24hr snow total around 12" (HN24 30cm). HS: near 100" (245cm).
The new snow was light dry and right-side-up with increasing resistance to just above the New Years Day crust. Snowpack tests failed suddenly on decomposing fragments just above this crust, but large column test did not propagate.
I could not find the 12/29 surface hoard in this location.
12/21 Crust is still the most notable snowpack marker. In this location, it was 3' (95cm) below the snow surface.
Weather:
Sunday was stormier than expected. Overcast skies. Very light snow fall. Moderate SW winds with light to moderate blowing snow. Visibility was generally band and limited observations,.
Media
