Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
NickObservation Date:
December 20, 2020Submitted:
December 20, 2020Zone or Region:
Stevens PassActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Grace LakesObserved Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Wet SlabSize:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a personElevation:
4800Aspect:
NComments:
Numerous D1 - D2 Slabs in the new snow. 10-15cm deep. Appeared to run on a thin crust that was on/near the surface on Sat. Dec 20 and subsequently buried by the last 24 hours' storm. This crust was present on Skyline ridge up to ~4800'. Figuring these ran last night at the switch from rain to snow. Could not trigger this slab on tests slopes.Signs of Unstable Snow
None reported
Observations
At 4800' on a north aspect we found the 12/13 surface hoar ~100cm down and consistently reactive to compression tests, CTH SP @95-110cm.
Surface hoar was rounding but grains clearly visible 5-10mm.
Also observed rounding facets on the 12/3 crust that did not give results in tests. They were loose and granular but the surface hour 10cm above provided the failure plain.