Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Leigh Ann Wolfe
Observation Date:
January 28, 2021
Submitted:
January 28, 2021
Zone or Region:
West South
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Bullion Basin

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
6000ft
Aspect:
SW
Comments:
Small, natural D1.5 avalanche on the SW aspect just above Bullion Basin. Appeared to break about 23 cm down. Debris ran ~150-200ft. Couldn’t see the full width.
Photo:

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
No
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
Yes, Isolated

Observations

Avoided terrain above 35 deg. Route traveled allowed us to see a recent avalanche (identified above) and older, buried debris. Only performed moving/quick tests (ski cut, hand and pole sheer, visual obs).

Toured to Bullion Basin to Cement Basin & Lake Basin and out. Skiing was pretty damn good in spite of pockets of wind affected areas and the occasion crust.

Media

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Wind Slab
Comments: 
Obvious wind loading on SW-NE aspects which matched the forecast. Isolated wind slabs on various aspects w/in Cement Basin.
Observed Avalanche Problem #2: 
Persistent Slab
Comments: 
Found buried facets at several locations on all aspects ~23 cm down. We triggered whomping on a ridge line w/ no propagation. Experience same, isolated whomping on 30 deg and below (low to no consequence).
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