Date of Observation: 01/16/2023
Name: Zach Kinler
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Route Description: Kebler TH to Anthracites, standard skin track to ridge
Observed avalanche activity: No
Avalanches: Did not observe any fresh slides in the terrain we traveled, views of the surrounding terrain were very limited.
Weather: Cloudy, calm winds near and below the treeline, light snow showers throughout the day, and moderate snow beginning to fall around 4:00pm. 1-2″ of accumulation during the day.
Snowpack: There was 35-40cm of settled storm snow over the past 2 days. HS was 235cm at 10,600′ on a north aspect. No cracking or collapsing observed during the tour. We skied slopes up to ~35 degrees and jumped on several others of various aspects with no signs of instability. Ski cuts on steeper, unsupported slopes only produced minor sluffing in the upper few inches. Found 6 mm Surface Hoar on one particular open northerly slope at 10,600 ft that produced an ECTP9 under a soft 35 cm slab. Hasty pits and another Extended Column Test near ridgeline did not reveal sensitive surface hoar or produce propagating results.
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- Easy propagating results on buried Surface Hoar
