Date of Observation: 02/19/2023
Name: Zach Guy
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Route Description: Schuylkill Ridge to 11,400’
Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: A few small wind slabs ran today from wind-loaded alpine terrain features (D1-1.5). I skier triggered a 6” wind slab on a drifted near treeline rollover.
Weather: 2” of new snow fell today. Moderate winds started loading mid-afternoon at higher elevations, then strong winds late afternoon started blowing snow at all elevations. Late afternoon winds were so strong that they appeared to be blowing snow into the atmosphere rather than loading.
Snowpack: Traveled near and below treeline looking for wind slab formation and found a few soft drifts up to 6” that produced cracking. I tested the 2/13 interface on NE and SE aspects and found no failures or concerning-looking structures. We skied steep terrain with only minor sluffing.
Photos:
-
-
A very small wind slab triggered on a drifted slope near treeline
-
-
Blowing snow off the Ruby Range
-
-
Small natural wind slab off Peeler Peak
-
-
Small natural windslab off Mt. Baldy
-
-
Snow was blowing into the atmosphere off of Schuylkill Ridge. We skied a steep line off ridgetop and didn’t find any fresh wind loading
Estimated avalanche date: 02/19/2023
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Oh-Be-Joyful Basin
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: N
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R1 very small
Destructive Size: D1- Relatively harmless to people
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Peeler Peak
Estimated avalanche date: 02/19/2023
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Mount Baldy
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: SE
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R1 very small
Destructive Size: D1.5
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Baldy south bowl
Estimated avalanche date: 02/01/2023
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Oh-Be-Joyful Basin
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: ATL: Above Tree Line
Aspect: NE
Characteristics
Trigger: Natural
Trigger modifier:
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane:
Size
Relative Size: R1 very small
Destructive Size: D1- Relatively harmless to people
Avg. crown height (inches):
Avg. width (feet):
Avg. vertical run (feet):
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments: Peeler Peak
Estimated avalanche date: 02/19/2023
Number of Avalanches: 1
Location
Location: Schuylkill Ridge
Location Specific:
Start Zone Elevation: NTL: Near Tree Line
Aspect: NE
Characteristics
Trigger: Skier
Trigger modifier: Controlled
Type: Soft Slab
Failure Plane: New/Old interface
Size
Relative Size: R1 very small
Destructive Size: D1- Relatively harmless to people
Avg. crown height (inches): 6
Avg. width (feet): 12
Avg. vertical run (feet): 20
Involvements
# of people caught:
# of partial burials:
# of full burials:
Additional comments:
6015
