Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Guided Exposure AIARE 2
Observation Date:
February 12, 2023
Submitted:
February 12, 2023
Zone or Region:
West North
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Hontoon/Swift Creek Bench

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Did not rain, which was huge improvement over the forecast. Stayed dry, not terrible cold but wind chill was a factor.

Weather was overcast, lightly snowing (S1) with light winds from the southwest. Temperature was 34 degrees F at 1035. Visibility was obscured by fog at times with no blowing snow.

Group dug 3 pits approx 20ft apart near sheltered near treeline with different aspects and wind loading.
N/NE aspect pit at 4800ft: Shovel tilt test resulted in non-planer, easy at 3 taps; CTN; ECTX; PST ARR 60/100/40cm down. MLK layer at approx 145cm.
N aspect pit at 4800ft; Shovel tilt test resulted in non-planer fracture, moderate at 14 taps; CTM RP & ECTN down 35cm; PST no fracture. MLK layer at approx 85cm.
NW aspect at 4800ft; 15 deg slope angle; Shovel tilt no result; CTM (13) SC down 30cm; ETCN (16) down 30cm; DTN down 245cm - targeting suspected weak layers above MLK layer, which was at 265cm.

No avalanche observations.

Media

Pit dug to MLK 265 down on NW NTL
Public Field Report: Hontoon/Swift Creek Bench
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