Observation Date: 02/16/2014

Route/Location:
Headed up Bass Creek, via the trail, to the dam.

Weather:
Increasing wind and snowfall as we got closer to the lake. Snowfall at dam limited visibility to less than 60 yards at times.

Wind:
Gusting wind out of the west.

New Snow: 3-6″

Avalanche Activity:
Several of the gullies on the north side of Bass Creek (in the last mile before the lake) have slid in the last 48 hours. Much debris and broken/laid over trees were visible. See photo.

Other Comments:
Dug a pit on a south facing 25 degree slope at 6700′ adjacent to debris from recent avalanche and immediately east of Bass Lake outflow. 225cm of snowpack. CT8 @20cm Q2 with lower 7cm having slab properties. Additional, simultaneous failures CT13 @35 and 50cm Q1-. Deeper layer (70cm?) failed CT20 Q1.

Although we did not hear whumphing, the snowpack had a hollow quality as we broke trail above 6600′.

Observer: Joshua Phillips