Observation Date: 02/15/2021

Route/Location:
Skied to Bass Lake then followed ridges and bowls back west to Lappi Lake.

Weather:
Moderate snow showers, heavy winds, temps 18-24°F with adequate visibility all day.

Wind:
Heavy gales along ridgelines above 7500′ with wind slabs found or forming on all aspects.

New Snow: 3-6″

Avalanche Activity:
Many of the large south facing avalanche paths crossing the Bass Lake Trail slid before the last storm cycle. Pinball Wizard had debris crossing the trail and running 2/3 of the the length of it’s historic path with some mature trees in the debris. Trees and avalanche debris from a north west facing avalanche path above Bass Lake ran out onto the lake an impressive distance of a few hundred yards.
Over the afternoon high wind speeds were encountered along ridgelines.

Other Comments:
The new storm snow is forming a surprisingly stiff and dense slab in the alpine.

Observer: Kyle Scharfe