Date of Observation: 12/11/2022
Name: Alex B
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Route Description: Standard uptrack on the east side of the creek into baxter basin and up to the south side of cascade.
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: No cracking, collapsing or new avalanches observed. Isolated natural cycle in alpine terrain features in the last 48-72hrs.
Weather: Clear. Calm valley winds gusting to moderate from the SW at ridgetop. Mild temps with strong solar input.
Snowpack: Targeted one shallow slope and one deeper terrain feature. HS ranged from 90-170cm.
NW 10200′ moderate results from multiple handshears failing on 2-3mm well-preserved graupple down 45cm.
NW 10400′ CT22 RP down 65cm failing on the 2-3mm graupple.
The slab above this interface progressively stiffens to a 1f slab above and to a pencil hard slab below. The bottom 15cm of the snowpack are large grained facets.