Observation Date: 12/12/2019

Route/Location:
Gash Point area–middle ridge and south bowl

Weather:
Snowing on and off. Snowed several inches while we were there. Some high winds (20-30 mph). Warm weather (20s) so snow was relatively dense.

Wind:
Sustained winds of 20+ mph on the open ridges. Didn’t see a lot of transport because of dense snow.

New Snow: 6-12″

Avalanche Activity:
Saw no natural avalanches. We dug a pit just off the ridge at 8300 ft and decided not to ski the 40-degree headwall because of our ECT results. Failure and propagation at 22 on a 20-degree slope, northeast aspect. Snow depth was 135 cm–probably some of this from wind loading. Failed on an ice crust at depth of 55 cm on top of facets.

Other Comments:

Observer: Mark Reinsel