Date of Observation: 03/21/2021
Name: Zach Guy
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Location: Peeler Basin
Aspect: North
Elevation: 9500’ to 12,000’
Avalanches: On above treeline, northerly aspects: Ski cut a small wind slab (12” thick) in a steep gulley below a cornice. Unintentionally triggered a small persistent slab (~18” soft slab broke on facets) after hucking a cliff band. The crown broke along the base of the cliff. This was in steep, rocky terrain where the total snowdepth was about 2 feet deep due to previous slides. Also several small natural loose dry avalanches ran today.
Weather: Mostly cloudy with pulses of light snowfall mixed with brief windows of sunshine. Light ridgetop winds with light transport out of the southwest.
Snowpack: 3” to 4” new snow, appeared to bond better to meltfreeze crusts (on E, S aspects) as opposed to dry snow on northerly aspects. Isolated drifts below alpine ridgelines up to 12”, with mixed results from ski cuts. No signs of instability near and below treeline.
Photos:
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- Small persistent slab triggered below a rock band
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- Small wind slab triggered below a cornice
