Date of Observation: 12/10/2021
Name: Eric Murrow Ben Pritchett
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Route Description: Kebler Pass
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: Observed one natural soft slab avalanche on a northwest-facing slope at 10,150′. Visibility was socked in, so very little opportunities to see recent avalanche activity.
Weather:
- Ridgeline Wind Speed: 20-30 mph
- Ridgeline Wind Direction: W
- Wind Loading: Moderate
- Temperature: 12 F
- Sky Cover: Obscured
- Depth of New Snow: 27 in
- Depth of Total Snow: 51 in
- Most Significant Precip Rate: S2 – 2 cm/hr
- Weather Description: One brief bit of broken skies around 10am, then it socked back in. Snowed S1-3 throughout the day without any breaks from 10am-3pm. Measured 51″ of storms snow which held 4.5″ snow water equivalent at Kebler Pass.
One brief bit of broken skies around 10am, then it socked back in. Snowed S1-3 throughout the day without any breaks from 10am-3pm. Measured 51″ of storms snow which held 4.5″ snow water equivalent at Kebler Pass.
Snowpack: Very deep, right-side-up storm resting on a very weak faceted base. Collapsing was rampant, but muffled. No cracking seen. ECT’s broke while isolating the block on size 10-15mm surface hoar, then gouged into facets.
Photos:
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- Profile from top of Kebler Pass showing an impressive storm resting on weak basal layer. ECT failed on isolation.
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- Natural avalanche observed on northwest-facing slope below treeline. Located very near the Y on Kebler Pass
