Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Matt Lubar
Observation Date:
February 4, 2022
Submitted:
February 4, 2022
Zone or Region:
West North
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Swift Creek/Huntoon Point

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
Yes, Isolated
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
No

Observations

Dug down on a NE facing slope @4800ft to observe the mid January crust complex and associated facets. Observed 50cm rightside up HST from storms since 1/30 sitting on a 5cm K hard MFcr (1/30). Below the 1/30 crust there are 5cm of .5-1mm rounded facets on top of another 3cm K hard crust, then alternating MFcr and moist polycrystals. Test results as follows:

CT12 RP down 25cm
CT23 SC down 65cm on .5-1mm FCxr
ECTN (wailed on the column after standard loading steps and eventually got a propagating failure down 65cm on same layer as above, see photo)
PST 60/100 End down 65cm on .5-1mm FCxr

Media

ECTN. Column failed and propagated on non-standard loading steps, pulled out for visual.
Small rounding facets exist between the upper crust (1/30) and the crust with blue card inserted.
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