Location: Kebler Pass Area
Date of Observation: 02/06/2018
Name: Ian Havlick
Subject: Scarp Ridge Obs/Avalanches
Aspect: North East, South, South West, West
Elevation: 10,000-12,200ft
Avalanches:
Pretty widespread storm slab instabilities all elevations after 1300 today. 12-16″ deep, running as dry loose. More storm slabbiness,
unsupported slopes were easily triggered on approach. Propagation up to 10-40ft depending on terrain. No
persistent slab concerns yet. Wind effected snow and windslabs definitely present as well.
Weather: Gusty (moderate) west-SW winds across UUWW all day, minimal solar radiation, S1-2 but
some peak precip rates a bit higher. Temps at ridgetop 12 degrees, 20 at SP.
Snowpack: Moderate wind transport, snow heavy at times, definite storm slab, shooting cracks
within storm snow, snow broke as slabs, but ran as dry loose sluffing. Minimal debris. Wind slabs remained
pillow-like and very soft. Keep eye on settlement rates over next 24-36hr, as well as solar wet loose
potential, entraining significant amounts. Peered and stomped into Peeler and Legends. Triggered small windslab, hardly ran. Poor vis but couloir may have potentially ran already in storm snow. Very poor and scary crust-facet-crust combo on untravelled SW facing slope, 40º steepness, representative of bc snowpack terrain. Friable crusts capable of holding a load, but very weak 3mm facets below. ski cuts produce shooting cracks and avalanche still running as sluff.
Photos:
