Professional Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Snow Stability

Bottom Line

Travel was from 4800' to 8200' in the Gash Creek drainage. Today was a sunny cold day with great soft powder on all aspects. There was a trace of powder at the trailhead and about 6"-12+" (15cm-30cm) above 6500.' We dug a snowpit at 7230' on a north aspect and found a persistent weak layer comprised of a facet/crust combo buried almost 3' (80cm) deep. Snowpit results yielded propagation on the facet/crust combo with an ECTP22. We dug again on a more wind-exposed NE aspect at 8050' and did not find the facet/crust combo. We observed multiple natural avalanches in Bear Creek. The avalanches seemed to have released naturally during the wind event last Thursday/Friday. I would guess the avalanche crowns were about 2'-3' (60cm-90cm) deep, 500' (150m) wide, and failed on the facet/crust combo. I am unsure how widespread the facet/crust combo is in the Gash and Bear Creek drainages. With that being said, I would be very leary of skiing anything above 35º in these drainages for a while.
Here are some takeaway points from our tour today:
• Wind affected snow was observed from a distance in the most exposed terrain.
• The new snow is bonding well to the old snow surface.
• There is a persistent weak layer problem in the Gash and Bear Creek drainages.
• Multiple persistent weak layer avalanches were observed.
• One snowpit result showed a propensity for propagation.