Public Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

We traveled up the low angle burn ridge to investigate the north facing peak to creek avalanche path off Gash Proper. It was gusty winds from the NE and snowing >1" per hour throughout the morning. In the afternoon snowfall picked up but the winds died down. Air Temperature at 8,400 feet was 23 degrees Fahrenheit.

We dug a pit on an North Facing slope at 8,400ft in elevation with a slope of 19 degrees near the standard/easy drop in to the North Facing Peak to Creek. There was 185cm of snow to the ground. We dug 90cm down to the rain crust and isolated our column for the ECT. Our results were ECTP 7 with failure around 20cm down from was last week's snow totals. It seemed like it failed on a storm slab that had gained cohesion through the warmer temps that we experienced the day and night before. No other failures noted lower in the snowpack.

We stayed away from any overhead hazard and decided not to drop into the North Face. We skied isolated gladed slopes ranging from 19-30 degrees in steepness and did not receive any "feedback" from this layer. No collapses, shooting cracks or other instabilities.