Date of Observation: 03/30/2022
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Route Description: Irwin Area
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: We saw a far more reactive snowpack today than yesterday, due to a notable density change and moderate NW winds overnight. Popped out a couple slides very easily with good propagation. By the afternoon, the snow was spongy and squeaky, and low on the west wall and an ever so slight zipper crust had already formed.
Location: Lake Irwin (Robinson Basin, Owen, Ruby)
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: SE
Trigger: Skier
Trigger modifier: Controlled
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane: Within storm snow
Relative Size: R1 very small
Destructive Size: D1.5
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Avalanche observations: Bender-Swill. SS-ASc-R2-D1.5-S- 30cm deep x 100m wide x 140m vertical
Thortons-
SS-ASc- R1D.5-S 15cm x 15m wide x 150m
Bender SS-ASc-R2-D1.5-S PP (30cm x 100m x 140m) touchy slab triggered while traversing the ridge top. Ran
within the storm snow at a density change saw a few graupel grains
