Northwest Avalanche Center - Public Observation

Name:

Dallas Glass

Observation Date:

January 23, 2021

Submitted:

January 24, 2021

Zone or Region:

West South

Activity:

Skiing/Snowboarding

Location:

Crystal Backcountry: East Peak/ Lake Basin

Did you observe any avalanches?

Yes

Comments:

Saw two loose avalanches on steep southerly slopes that occurred today and 4 or 5 from yesterday. These slides seem to sit on the fence between loose dry and loose wet. They all occurred on very steep southerly slopes during periods of sunshine, but the snow on these slopes was generally dry and cold despite the sun.

We also noted several very wide crowns and large debris piles from the atmospheric river event 1/11-13. These occurred on N-E aspect 6300-6800'. While these are very old and no longer relevant, they were some of the widest crowns I've seen in this area and connected multiple smaller starzones.

Photo:

None reported

Terrain: We traveled up East Peak and out to the ridge. between Cement and Lake Basins. Most of our observations come from the Lake Basin area. Returned via East Peak near Ted's Buttress. This terrain covered all aspects in the NTL band.

Snowpack: Recent snow from 1/21 about 5-7cm. Over the 1/13 crust from the atmospheric river. The soft upper snow is very weak and faceting. Near-surface facets were very evident and well developed. While the previous night was cold, clear, and calm there was very little surface hoar growth.

Below the recent snow conditions were variable with ice, breakable crust, and strong melt forms depending on the slope. In all the areas we traveled a very thick and strong 1/13 crust could be found somewhere in the upper foot of the snowpack. This layer was boot supportable and difficult to break through.

Very small pockets of wind drifted snow were found near ridgelines. These isolated slabs failed very easily on facets and produced shooting cracks up to 10' long (nearly the entire size of the wind loaded pocket).

Weather: Clear and sunny. Cold at mid and upper elevations. Light NW winds on the ridgelines. Calm elsewhere.