Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Enji Cooper
Observation Date:
December 6, 2020
Submitted:
December 9, 2020
Zone or Region:
Olympics
Activity:
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Location:
Baldy/Tyler Peak

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

My partner and I climbed up Tyler Peak Trail. Ran into noticeable snowpack below the saddle between Peak B and the point which intersects with Upper Maynard Burn Trail along the ridge to Baldy. Much of the snowpack on the way to baldy was absent, apart from northern aspects, once ascending up to the true summit, but also was extremely shallow.

The saddles on both sides of the intersection of the Upper Maynard Burn Trail had the most snow. We were both sinking in approximately 1.5' when booting it down the hill (we didn't use our snowshoes all day due to the stable boot pack).

Media

Windswept snowpack near 47.9000, -123.1704

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Wind Slab
Comments: 
0.5 cm diffused break slabs on northern aspects (due to wind), which were more noticeable due to colder temperatures up high. The snowpack as a whole was stable, which matched the forecast, i.e., low likelihood of small localized (D0.5~D1) avalanches.
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