Observation: Public

Name:

Matt Crisler

Observation Date:

December 12, 2021

Submitted:

December 13, 2021

Zone or Region:

West South

Activity:

Skiing/Snowboarding

Location:

Eagle Peak Trail Area - MRNP

Did you trigger any avalanches?

Yes

Was it intentional?

No

Avalanche Type:

Dry Loose (Sluff)

Size:

Size 1: Relatively harmless to people

Elevation:

4800

Aspect:

S

Comments:

2 short steeper sections in small open areas within the trees produced non-trivial sluffs that entrained the newest (Saturday night/Sunday) lower density snow and generally stopped at the interface to the somewhat denser snow from Saturday.

None reported

The layering in the upper snowpack with very low-density snow on top (6-10 inches in the trees), higher density snow from 12/11 below that, and another layer of softer snow beneath from earlier in the week was easily observable using ski poles. Below 4k feet the denser 12/11 snow was highly prominent. from 4k-5k this layer became more and more subtle but still easily detectable without digging. No signs of slab instability or propagation with test slopes on convexities and short steep sections producing no slabs, cracks, etc. - just the loose dry activity noted.

Weather was about as expected. Calm winds in the trees, possibly a bit warmer than expected, and intermittent snowfall up to S1.

Short, steeper open sections produced non-trivial sluffs

Still plenty of low-tide obstacles that made for some challenging conditions both up and down, but in some locations good turns were available. Above 4k feet another 1-2 feet of snow will cover the most significant hazards and allow more consistent turns in this area.

Fortunately it wasn't windy, but the trees were definitely loaded and ready to drop a few bombs.