Observation: Public

Name:

Matt Crisler

Observation Date:

February 27, 2021

Submitted:

February 28, 2021

Zone or Region:

West North

Activity:

Skiing/Snowboarding

Location:

Ptarmigan Ridge

Did you observe any avalanches?

Yes

Avalanche Type:

Soft Slab

Size:

Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person

Elevation:

4800

Aspect:

NE

Comments:

Near corner pocket off Table saw some wind slabs that appeared to start mid-slope and run down nearly to Bagley Basin. Looked to be from 2/26 or overnight.

None reported

Toured out to Ptarmigan Ridge from Heather Meadows. Observed isolated wind affected snow only at the highest elevation features (top of table mountain, Ptarmigan ridge line). Elsewhere there was 10-20cm of soft snow pretty evenly distributed and with no signs of instability observed throughout the day. Hand shears did identify a layer 8-10cm down that would break fairly cleanly, but was pretty stubborn. Surface hoar was widespread in the Ptarmigan area and appeared to be sticking around through the early afternoon. Solar slopes were developing a pretty significant crust as clouds arrived and temperatures dropped toward late afternoon.

Great skiing and filtered sun most of the day. Only ran into some low clouds hanging out on the N side of Table later in the afternoon - otherwise visibility was great and there was more sun than expected.