Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Brian RichterObservation Date:
January 9, 2021Submitted:
January 9, 2021Zone or Region:
East CentralActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Blewett/TronsenheadObserved Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Size:
Elevation:
Aspect:
Comments:
Spotted what appeared to be a large avalanche crown on the N slopes of Tronsenhead in the morning when it was clear. Fog in the afternoon prevented us from getting a better look at it in the PM.Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, IsolatedDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, IsolatedObservations
Travelled up and down Tronsenhead via low angle terrain (less than 30 degrees). We observed shooting cracks and felt whumpfing while breaking trail at 5400' on a NW aspect. Dug a test profile on a NW facing slope at 5500' with an HS of 72 cm (less than we expected so may not have been representative of the area). We observed 3 crusts in the bottom 3rd of the snowpack and all snow between these crusts was 4F to F faceted snow. We got ECTP13 down 50 cm and CTM Q1(SC) at the same interface confirming the persistent weak layers are still reactive (as forecast). Despite the sketchy snowpack, we were able to find good skiing on low angle slopes on both N aspects and SE aspects near treeline with no sun affect. It was cold and clear in the AM (~20F) with valley fog rising to above Tronsenhead in the PM.
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