Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Kurt HicksObservation Date:
January 29, 2021Submitted:
January 29, 2021Zone or Region:
East CentralActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Wedge MountainTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
YesAvalanche Type:
Dry Loose (Sluff)Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
4000'Aspect:
NComments:
Ran fast and far on the 1/14 crustSigns of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, IsolatedDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, WidespreadObservations
Solo tour up Wedge Mountain at the mouth of Icicle Canyon via the NE Ridge. Observed SE, E, NE, and N aspects to the ridge crest at 4700'. No recent natural avalanches observed. Widespread whumping and shooting cracks above 3800' on SE, E, and NE aspects; these were likely failing on or below the 1/14 melt-freeze crust (no profiles were dug).
Ski quality ranged from good to excellent above 2800' (above yesterday's zipper rain crust) and was better on shaded terrain. Solar aspects were generally about 12" of new snow over the crust, while shades slopes had up to 18" of cold snow. Previous, isolated wind transport from the SE was observed with drifting onto northerly terrain; this was obvious since ski penetration reduced from an average of12-16" to about 4" in these scoured locations. No wind slabs were present where I travelled, but small wind lips and cornices were obvious.
Strong sun and warming occurred in the PM, but I was out of the field by then. Wet Loose activity is likely to have occurred on sun-exposed terrain this afternoon.
I avoided large slopes and terrain traps on this tour.
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