Observation: Public

Name:

Matt Crisler

Observation Date:

January 18, 2021

Submitted:

January 19, 2021

Zone or Region:

West North

Activity:

Skiing/Snowboarding

Location:

Heather Meadows, Ptarmigan Ridge

Did you observe any avalanches?

Yes

Avalanche Type:

Hard Slab

Size:

Size 3: Could bury and destroy a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few trees

Elevation:

Widespread above treeline

Aspect:

Comments:

As expected, widespread evidence of the cycle during the atmospheric river remains visible throughout the zone.

Photo:

None reported

Toured out to Ptarmigan Ridge from Heather Meadows. Lots of debris to dodge and only 3-4" of snow atop the solid crust. Travel conditions on any steeper slopes were complicated by rain runnels, but finding low angle routes led to some nice turns and long runs off the ridge. Winds were light below ridgeline and moderate at ridgeline blowing generally from the North during the day. As expected, small loose wet activity was observed from the new snow anywhere it could be shed from rocks or trees. 2-3mm surface hoar was pretty widespread in the morning and still hanging around on shaded slopes through the early afternoon.

HS and debris on north facing side of Ptarmigan

Avalanches at upper elevations to the Southeast of Peak 5830. Looks like these may have stayed above the rain/snow line for some of the AR event.