Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
David GObservation Date:
January 15, 2023Submitted:
January 15, 2023Zone or Region:
West SouthActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Crystal Mountain ResortTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
YesAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
5500ft to 6500ftAspect:
SComments:
Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, IsolatedDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
NoObservations
Went hunting for wind loaded aspects at Crystal. Found small wind slabs popping off all over the place on south and southeast aspects inbounds between 5500ft and 6500ft. Each was isolated but the snow was highly, highly reactive and broke at low angles with little loading and slower cuts. All broke on Friday's rain crust found at depths between 6 and 12 inches in wind loaded areas. The rain crust measured up to 1 inch thick in many spots and sat on top of surprisingly dry, unconsolidated snow. While these were isolated wind slabs that were easy to identify and manage, they were extremely touchy. I wouldn't be surprised to see storm slabs failing naturally despite the relatively slower loading that's expected over the next few days.
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