Observation: Public

Name:

Zack Wentz

Observation Date:

January 24, 2021

Submitted:

January 24, 2021

Zone or Region:

West South

Activity:

Skiing/Snowboarding

Location:

Crystal Backcountry - Joe’s Bada** Shoulder

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:

N

Comments:

Location: Steep terrain (greater than 40 degrees) in upper section of Joe’s Bada** Shoulder. Depth: 20 cms Length: 200ft

None reported

Avalanche Obs: Numerous sz 1 loose dry avalanches in steep terrain (anything steeper than 40 degrees) on polar aspects. Lots of remnants of old debris still present and in the runout of most paths from the 1/12 natural wet avalanche cycle.

Snowpack Obs: 15-30cms of F- snow sits atop the rain crust. Higher snow totals can be found above the elevation of Henskin Lake (5600’). Very minimal effects of wind loading on NW-N aspects near and below ridge top. Small wind-loaded pockets were slightly stiffer (F), but not by much.

Weather Obs: Cloudy & cold all day. Valley bottom temps around 31 degrees F in AM. S-1 in AM & PM. L-M winds from the southeast, with L-mod. blowing snow at ridge top mid-day.

Overall was a great day to be out, and it’s great to see some new snow over the crust!

Old debris from 1/12 wet cycle in lower Dog Leg.