Observation: NWAC Observer

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 30, 2023
Submitted:
March 30, 2023
Observer:
NWAC Observer - Willie Webster
Zone or Region:
East North
Location:
Harts Pass (All aspects 3000' to 6000')

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

Recent wet loose avalanche debris covers snowmobile tracks
This wet avalanche debris covered the road in the not too distant past.
Roller balls are the precursors to larger wet loose avalanches
Glide crack
Small avalanche debris fans out towards the bottom of a run out
Above treeline, most cornices are still attached to their ridge lines.
A couple of large boulders and old avalanche debris on the road near Deadhorse Point
Silver Star Mountain

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Sunny
Temperature:
28°F
Wind:
Light , W
New/Recent Snowfall:
none

Mostly clear skis and good visibility. Calm or light winds out of the West.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
1 Mar 22, 2023
() 		Harts Pass road
SW 5400ft 		D2.5
R2 		WL-Wet Loose N-Natural
This wet avalanche debris covered the road in the not too distant past.
Report
Harts Pass road

Numerous small and at least one large wet avalanche have occurred recently. I did not observe (from a distance) any natural wind slab releases.

Snowpack Observations

The melt out is on in the low country. In mid elevations from about 4000' to 6000' there have been numerous small and several large wet avalanches especially on sun facing slopes. Higher up, things look more like a winter snowpack with recently drifted snow and very intact cornices. Depending on elevation and aspect we have a snowpack in all stages of adjustment to the recent warm temps. I dug a pit at 6000' on an East aspect and found a well settled snowpack with no alarming results (CTN & ECTX). Below the 4" melt-freeze crust at the surface, the bulk of the snowpack was made up of small dense rounded grains which haven't undergone a melt-refreeze cycle yet. There are plenty of impressive cornices on ridge lines.

Avalanche Problems

Today lower and mid elevations had a small wet loose problem. I wasn't able to assess for any lingering wind slabs higher up.

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