Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Tod BloxhamObservation Date:
February 20, 2022Submitted:
February 21, 2022Zone or Region:
Stevens PassActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Jove PeakObserved Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Dry Loose (Sluff)Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
5000Aspect:
SWComments:
Very small dry loose avalanches on slopes greater than 45*Signs of Unstable Snow
Observations
Toured to the west side of Jove Peak via Smith Brook and Union Pass. Observed 3200'-6000'
HST 50-60cm Sunday AM . Mid-day sun with trees beginning to shed snow, later afternoon snow S1 to S5, additional 10cm by end of day. Light winds at ridgelines, no evidence of wind transport on S and W slopes.
Storm snow bonded to 2/14 crust, with a gradual right side up density. Small dry loose avalanches observed on steep slopes greater than 45*. No evidence of storm slab and no cracking or whumping on test slopes; very dry and loose closer to the surface. Solar facing slopes wetted about 3cm deep mid-day, however was buried by 10cm of new snow. No crust was observed at the end of day from the buried wet layer, and still skied well.
Mindset for the day was to limit exposure due to 24" of snow of snow that fell in the previous 12 hours. Large open trees of Jove was fantastic.