Location: Cement Creek Area
Date of Observation: 03/02/2020
Name: Ian Havlick
Subject: Cement Creek
Aspect: North, South, South West, North West
Elevation: 9000-11000
Avalanches: Pretty solid avalanche Gibson Ridge midday observed. Failed as storm slab or dry loose sluff and stepped down. Expanded from initial small storm slab observed 0800 to larger secondary avalanche midday. Debris looked size 2. Also worth noting the moving snow scoured into older snow near the ground as it ran. (previously observed, but different photo felt helpful)
Weather: Orographic and convective snow showers made their way out to cement during the afternoon, not enough to produce much additional accumulation, but enough to obscure surrounding terrain, unfortunately.
Snowpack: 6-8″ of new snow resting on top of mainly 3-6cm melt freeze crust from days prior. New snow seemed to be insulating crusts a bit and the crust interface was moist. South-facing areas new snow had cooked and consolidated to ~4″ and aside from some small sluffing, posed no threat in terrain traveled. Winds had transported new snow a bit in more exposed areas, 1-2 foot slabs directly adjacent to exposed ridges, 4F with some cracking extending 5-10ft in front of skis. Overall structure remains concerning on all but true south in cement area with 4mm depth hoar below slabs 1-3 feet deep. Lower elevation south-facing not all that concerning as much of those aspects are starting to really cook-off and consolidate
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