Location: Kebler Pass Area
Date of Observation: 02/26/2018
Name: Steve Banks
Subject: Gothic / Maroon Hut
Aspect:
Elevation:
Avalanches:
A few smaller recent windslab releases on SE aspects. 1 on Belleview, 1 on White subpeak. Several shallow slabs and loose avalanches shedding off of East Face of Gothic as temps rose before noon. Looks like SE Bowl of Mt Belleview ran big with a large debris pile down low, but did not get a good angle on it. Debris from Gothic NE bowl almost got the Judd Falls toilet, but not quite. Got a good view of the Redwell crown. Very impressive.
Weather: Clear skies cold temps rapidly warming throughout the day. Calm AM winds with PM gusts and plums in the alpine showing strong NW winds. Highs 2.5C in the afternoon.
Snowpack: As to be expected. Mostly shallow with 90cms average and up to 140cms on shady and protected slopes. Soft surface conditions with a supportive midpack 20-30 cms down. Pronounced crust 2/3 of the way down the pack with NCF above and below. Average 20 cms of depth hoar at the ground (see photo)
Snow profile on NE slope BTL showed 1F midpack over 4 cm thick crust with 1F below and 4F facets at the ground. Seems to be dispersing skier weight but spooky structure for sure.
Photos:
