Observation Date: 01/01/2020

Route/Location:
Rattlesnake. Up Paradise to Point Six. Lapped the low angle East ridge of Point Six to the SE facing run ending just below the lake.

Weather:
Snowing. Fog. Wind.

Wind:
20 mph wind with gusts up to 40. Circling winds (not just from the west). Some definite wind transport on exposed areas but the first round of snow was heavy so mostly with the new lighter snow.

New Snow: 6-12″

Avalanche Activity:
Remotely (50ft) set off one very small (3″ deep by 30′ x 10′) new wind slab from the safety of the low angle heavily treed slope above. 7500′ S aspect.

On a steep wind loaded small test slope we got a 12-16″ storm slab to slide on what appeared to be new/old interface on near surface facets. Couldn’t find any surface hoar at that location. 45*, 7000′ , N facing. This 30 ft. test slope was very reactive. Skiing near it was enough to trigger it multiple times.

Other Comments:
We were able to manage the terrain and stayed on low angle slopes the whole day. The base is starting to come in. You can still hit rocks if you’re not careful.

Observer: Brian Stampe