Observation: Public

Observation Details

Observed Avalanches

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Traveled up the Alpental Valley, to Source Lake, then up to Bryant Col. Few signs of instability until reaching the bench at ~5200ft on a NE aspect below Bryant Peak. Snow was cold and fluffy on the way up except SE aspects with sun exposure where we found a sun crust.

Upon reaching the 5200ft bench under Bryant Peak, we observed the possible start zone of the D2.5 avalanche mentioned in a 2/14 observation from Andy Harrington. The cause looked like a windslab that failed just below the cliff band below Bryant Peak on a NE aspect. The avalanche appeared to run full path and may have caused sympathetic releases while it traveled, but I did not ski down the debris field to confirm. The deepest part of the crown looked to be 3-4ft. Not sure if it falied on the 2/13 interface or a deeper layer in the snowpack (though I think 2/13 is the most probable bed surface) .

While skinning up to Bryant Col past the debris field, (5200-5450ft on NE aspect near ridgeline) the storm snow from 2/14 had windslab characteristics though it appeared to be healing. Small slabs adjcent to the slide path broke with some stomping.