Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Date:

January 17, 2022

Submitted:

January 17, 2022

Observer:

NWAC Forecaster - Dallas Glass

Zone or Region:

East South

Location:

Bootjack Rock (SE-SW, 3000-6000' Below and near treeline)

Recent Avalanches?

None Observed

Cracking?

None Experienced

Collapsing?

None Experienced

This is a great example of the snowpack below treeline. Thin, wet, and weak.

Looking across Rimrock Lake toward Darland Mt and Stroback Ridge

Notice the large wet grains and thin icy crusts that make up the upper 1-1.5' of the snowpack.

Advanced Information

Cloud Cover:

Mostly Sunny

Temperature:

38°F

Wind:

Light , W

New/Recent Snowfall:

No new snow.

The skies were mostly sunny with some increasing clouds around 2pm. You could see lenticulars on Mt Adams and higher peaks in the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Temperatures were warm and well above freezing. Winds were very light, then increasing after 12pm.

Avalanche Observation Comments:

No new avalanches were observed.

Below Treeline: Snow depth (HS) 12-24" (30-60cm). The snowpack has not frozen recently. Wet weak large grain meltforms were found throughout the entire snowpack. Occasional thin ice lenses were seen.

Neat Treeline: Snow depth (HS) 4-5' (110-150cm). About an inch or two of softened spring (MF) snow was found on the surface sitting on top of a 4-6" (10-15cm) melt-freeze crust. The upper 1-1.5' (30-45cm) of the snowpack was layers of frozen and wet melt forms (MFpc and MFcr). The mid and lower snowpack are very strong and well settled. Mainly frozen melt forms and strong rounded grains.

No layers of concern were noted in this area.

Problem	Location	Distribution	Sensitivity	Size	Comments
Wet Loose	N E S W	Isolated Specific Widespread	Unreactive Stubborn Reactive Touchy	D1 D1.5 D2 D2.5 D3 D3.5 D4 D4.5 D5

We tried to trigger roller balls on very steep sunny slopes, but could not. We also exited the field before the peak warming of the day.

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