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Professional Observation

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 9, 2022
Submitted:
December 9, 2022
Observer:
WCMAC - Arden Feldman
Zone or Region:
Rattlesnake
Location:
Snowbowl Backcountry

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
Widespread
Collapsing? 
Widespread

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Poor
Confidence in Rating: 
Moderate
Stability Trend: 
Steady

Bottom Line

Today we traveled from Snowbowl to Tele Meadows. Skies were overcast with very light snow, trending towards broken skies as we were leaving around 2 pm. Temperatures were cool. We measured an air temperature of 21 degrees Fahrenheit at 6750 ft at 12:30 pm. Winds were light out of the southwest.

Media

Cracking and collapsing on buried surface hoar.
Tele Meadows and Evaro Bowl.

Advanced Information

Snowpack Observations

We dug a snowpit on a NW aspect at 6750 ft and found 3.5 ft of snow. The primary layer of concern was a well developed layer of 3-8mm surface hoar buried under a 20" deep slab of decomposing recent snowfall. It produced a propagating snowpit test (ECTP 18), and we experienced cracking and collapsing on the same layer. See pit profile for more details. We stuck to low angled slopes and avoided the steep terrain above Tele Meadows.

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