Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Peter SundbergObservation Date:
January 3, 2021Submitted:
January 3, 2021Zone or Region:
West NorthActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Heather meadows.Observed Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Dry Loose (Sluff)Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
4800Aspect:
NWComments:
Avalanche was triggered on a convex roll over greater then 35 degrees and broke 4-6 inches deep and propagated 50 ft. The lab was not cohesive and moved as stuff.Photo:
Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, WidespreadDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, WidespreadObservations
Found very deep in consolidated snow in the mr baker backcountry today. Temperatures stayed cold and it snowed consistently all day. We skied treed terrain less then 35 degrees and found excellent ski conditions. We found very unstable snow conditions within the new snow. The top 4 -6 inches of new snow was highly reactive yielding widespread cracking even on slopes less then 35 degrees. Our party also observed sympathetic releases within this layer from skiing or skinning too close to steep roll overs. Results of numerous handpits indicated generally right side up snowpack and bonding happening below this 4-6 inch top layer. Though we did not observe this layer stepping down or causing large propagation we moved cautiously and chose conservative slopes.