Date of Observation: 02/15/2023
Name: Evan Ross
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Route Description: AMR. 10,000ft to 11,500ft. N-E.
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: Fairly widespread natural storm slab cycle that likely occurred during the early AM hours. All small or D1 in size.
Weather: Headed out at 8:30 am and snowfall was tapering off over the next few hours. Mostly S1 to S-1 through that period. Mostly light winds with some moderate gusts out of the E-SE.
Snowpack: HST was ~50cm at 10,000ft. There was a notable density change in the storm snow that was responsible for all the avalanche activity that I was able to look closely at. In areas without notable wind-loading that weak layer was down anywhere from 10 to 30cm depending on elevation and how close to the Kebler Pass Trailhead. In the morning the storm slab avalanche problem was reactive, then by mid-day, it was becoming less reactive and trending towards stubborn.
Around 11,000ft there was notable previous drifting from the south side of the ridge to the north side of the ridge. Skinning on the south side of the ridge you were either walking on the old crusty snow surface or through thick wind wales.
Photos:-
- Reactive storm slabs in the morning become more stubborn BTL by mid-day.
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- Example of some small storm slabs near the gravel pit.
