Observation: NWAC Observer

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 22, 2023
Submitted:
February 22, 2023
Observer:
NWAC Observer - Willie Webster
Zone or Region:
East North
Location:
Hinkhouse Peak (North aspect 4400' to 6800' )

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Media/Attachments

Sudden planar results in a deep tap test 1 meter down, likely on the Jan. 5th surface hoar. This layer didn't respond to an extended column test. (DTM SP 13 @ 100cm, ECTX, CTN)
We suspect this is some very rounded surface hoar that was buried on Jan. 5th. These were pulled from planar fracture in a deep tap test. (DTM SP 13 @ 100cm)
We suspect this is some very rounded surface hoar that was buried on Jan. 5th. These were pulled from planar fracture in a deep tap test. (DTM SP 13 @ 100cm)
A chunk of cornice larger than a bread box found in a D2 debris pile.
D2 debris from a recent avalanche on a North facing aspect of Hinkhouse Peak
Poor visibility and variable depth, but good skiing was found.
Spin drifts sifting down cliff walls of Hinkhouse Peak.
Crusty snow below 4000' with variable coverage. Lots of snowmobile whoops on highway 20.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Temperature:
5°F
Wind:
Light , NE
New/Recent Snowfall:
30cm

Cold and cloudy today with poor visibility near and above treeline. Very light snow showers at times with light winds up high.

We observed a recent avalanche on a north aspect of Hinkhouse Peak which likely ran on Monday 2/20. The debris was a 2 on the D scale; large enough to bury injure or kill a person. The debris included cornice chunks and was covered with the same new snow that has fallen since Monday.

Snowpack Observations

Snowmobile travel on highway 20 is not wonderful with a crusty refreeze and lots of whoops. This refreeze is from Monday and Tuesday's warm up. At 4000' the crust starts to get a dusting of new snow. As we skinned up north aspects of Hinkhouse, the new snow from Monday and Tuesday got deeper. This new snow is variable in depth from 0" to 20" in places. It shows signs of wind effect near and above treeline. In spite of the obvious wind effect, we didn't observe any shooting cracks or other signs of a reactive wind slab, at least up to 6800'. So long as we found corridors of wind deposited snow, we enjoyed low density boot deep powder skiing. There are some considerable frozen chunks under this new snow. We dug a pit on a North aspect at 6400'. The new snow didn't show us signs of reactivity. We performed an extended column test and got no results (ECTX). We also didn't see anything in a compression test (CTN), but we did get a sudden planar result in a deep tap test 1 meter down. (DTM SP @ 100cm). We think this layer is the old Jan. 5th surface hoar. We don't think this a problematic layer right now, but it's worth keeping track of.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Wind Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Layer Depth/Date: 20-30"
Comments: Conrinces could be reacive in places
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