Name: Jack Caprio
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Location: Baxter Basin
Date of Observation: 12/09/2020
Aspect: North, North East, East
Elevation: 9,500-11,500
Avalanches: Old natural and skier triggered dry loose avalanches on East, Northeast, and North Facing aspects above treeline. Some naturals were initiated due to solar warming near rock bands on east-facing terrain.
Weather: Just lovely. Little to no wind and sunny skies.
Snowpack: We toured primarily on North, Northeast, and East facing aspects from 9,500′ to 11,400′. At 10,000 feet, we found about 10-15 cm of 2-4 mm fist hard facets on the top of the snowpack. Below that, we found 30 cm of 1 finger dense snow down to the ground. As we gained elevation, we toured primarily on the northern quadrant of the compass.
At 11,400 feet, on an open north-facing aspect, the snowpack depth was 75 cm. The upper 25 cm of the snowpack was fist hard facets, while the next 40 cm had a 1 finger density. This particular area held 10 cm of old late October snow at the bottom of the snowpack. This old October snow showed significant signs of rounding. After a couple of non-propagating test results, we skied 35-38 degree NNE facing slopes with no signs of instability.
Photos:
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- Pit Profile on a N Aspect at 11,400′. Stability tests resulted in no propagating results.
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- Old October snow grains showing signs of rounding
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- Skier triggered and natural dry loose avalanches near Daisy Pass
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- Small, harmless, dry loose avalanche
