Northwest Avalanche Center

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Observation Details

Name:
Tre Trofi
Observation Date:
February 15, 2023
Submitted:
February 15, 2023
Zone or Region:
Mt Hood
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Gunsight Ridge

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Went up to the top of Gunsight Ridge via Pocket Creek. Saw signs of yesterdays sun/warming mainly below 5000ft. In open exposed areas a thin sun crust had developed. Surface hoar was observed above 5000ft on both E and W aspects. Some areas near the top were wind scoured down to crust.

The first pit I dug was on a W aspect at 5600'. The top 20cm of snow went on CT03, another 30cm down failed on CT12.

The second pit was dug at 5700ft on a E aspect. This pit was dug in an area that was clearly wind loaded. Did an ECT with the first failure on the 10th compression, no propagation. another failure occurred below last weeks crust on ECT14. I then did a shovel tilt test and got results before I was able to move the column much. Pictures attached.

Media

Surface Hoar on a E aspect at 5700ft below Gunsight Ridge.
Great skiing conditions, especially above 5000ft.
Surface Hoar on a W aspect at 5600ft below Gunsight Ridge.
Pit and CT test preformed on a W aspect at 5600ft.
Pit and CT test preformed on a W aspect at 5600ft.
Pit at 5700ft on a E aspect. You can clearly see last weeks snow/crust below recent snowfall.
Pit at 5700ft on a E aspect. Failure 25cm down on ECT10, no propagation across column
Pit at 5700ft on a E aspect. After finding multiple weak layers within both recent and last weeks snow shovel tilt test confirmed. Top 20-25cm were reactive on last weeks crust with more instability below.

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 

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