Public Observation
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 25, 2022Submitted:
January 25, 2022Zone or Region:
Activity:
Location:
Southern MissionsObserved Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Dry Loose (Sluff)Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
AlpineAspect:
Comments:
East and south and even west in steep terrain. All were small and in 40*+ where swirling winds had likely deposited fresh snow.Signs of Unstable Snow
Observations
Gusty day in the alpine. Westerly winds scoured west aspects and rapidly loaded east aspects. However, wind slabs were found on multiple aspects: S, E, and even a bit on W . Lots of active transport and rapid loading made our hair stand up as we cautiously worked terrain to minimize exposure.
Found a thick layer of buried graupel at the base of Graywolf below a light wind skin. Seemed to be isolated to underneath steeper than 40* terrain, cross loaded in gullies and on the leeward side of terrain. However, found it sporadically (2/14 of our handpits) in the west col where it was thinner. Where it’s thicker it could act as well lubricated ball bearings underneath future loading. Might be wise to keep an eye on this layer until it heals. The starting zone would likely be in the gentler terrain at the apron.
Dug a pit on the apron of Graywolf at ~7200’
West aspect.
ECTN4 at 5cm (graupel/wind skin interface)
ECTN22 at 40cm
Right side up solid snowpack minus the graupel
Decided to ski a partially wind scoured steep west facing col.
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