Observation: Southwest

Observation Date
2/3/2024
Observer Name
Aaron
Region
Southwest
Location Name or Route
Intersection of Highway 14 and 148
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
Bottom 25cm of the snowpack is large faceted snow sitting underneath much harder snow.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,900'
Comments
Our group skied a few laps on a N facing aspect between 9900 and 10,200 ft. We experienced several large whumphs (at least 6) and felt the snow collapse beneath us along with cracks propagating for 100+ feet at times. We dug a pit on a N aspect at 9900 feet and had a CTM Q1 failure at the interface between the facets at 25cm and the harder snow above it. We also performed an incorrect Rutschblock test, but saw a sudden-planar failure at around 70cm on a thin layer of graupel that we did not initially notice. At around 10,200 ft we noticed a small (2-3") wind slab.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates