Observation: NWAC Observer
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
March 31, 2023Submitted:
March 31, 2023Observer:
NWAC Observer - Keeley RideoutZone or Region:
West NorthLocation:
Baker Backcountry (4000-5000ft, All Aspects)Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
IsolatedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedMedia/Attachments
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
ObscuredTemperature:
23°FWind:
Moderate , ENew/Recent Snowfall:
HN: traceSocked in weather with visibility ranging 100-500ft. East winds gusting from moderate to strong made for a nice exfoliating snow facial. New snow began warmer and transitioned to cooler, smaller flakes over the course of the morning. Precip was steady and new snow was blowing around quite a bit.
Remnants of refrozen roller balls from wet loose activity earlier in the week could be found despite the flat light.
Snowpack Observations
A hearty surface crust has formed on E, S, and W aspects. The crust is supportable in some places and breakable in others keeping you wondering what each turn will hold on the descent.
A 100cm deep pit at 4800ft on an E aspect with a 28º slope showed a 2cm surface crust followed by a 4cm crust 28cm down. Beneath the crust was all old snow, with hardness increasing below 45cm. A compression test, resulted in the surface crust fracturing upon isolating the column. CT1 let to the crust sliding off completely. CT14 prompted a failure above the buried 4cm crust.
Two more quick pits on north and west aspects showed the buried crust is present on all aspects around 4800ft. The surface crust was thinner but also present on the west-facing quick pit.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wind Slab
|
|
Unknown | |||
Storm Slab
|
|
Unknown |
Comments: Adding this problem based on the snow falling between 8-11am and the forecasted accumulation. |
Wind! It's blowing out there and with new snow falling keep eyes peeled for all the usual signs and symptoms of wind slab: shooting cracks, wumpfing, punchy crust, ripply snow surface texture, and cornicing ridgelines.