Date of Observation: 12/26/2020
Name: Eric Murrow
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Location: Slate River to Poverty Gulch
Aspect: East, South East, South, South West, West, North West
Elevation: 9000′ – 11600′
Avalanches: A grouping of small loose avalanches near treeline on southwest aspect – guessing wet from warm weather on Christmas
Persistent Slab on west aspect of Baldy – few days old, likely from wind event on Wednesday/Thursday timeframe
Weather: Pleasant above the inversion zone with calm winds below treeline and light winds near treeline – no blowing snow observed
Snowpack: Just a rec ski day with no signs of instability underfoot on steep southwest slopes, or lower-angled easterly slopes. Not many slopes in the alpine in this area looked like good skiing; lots of breaker-crust-looking conditions and wind erosion on others. In early afternoon steep southwesterly slope softened just enough to make for some decent turns.
Photos:
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- West and northwest aspects with Castle, Avery, White(&Rock) visible. Looks pretty dang wind hammered, yuck.
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- Cute family of loose(likely wet) avalanche on southwest aspect near treeline from Christmas day
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- Persistent Slab on west aspect of Baldy(WSC bowl). Looks to be a few days old
