From Obs: "With a ski cut, I released a very small slab that entrained a decent about of snow by the time it stopped ~600 vert. feet lower. It was the thin wind slab sliding on softer snow underneath." Photo: W Gober
From Obs: "With a ski cut, I released a very small slab that entrained a decent about of snow by the time it stopped ~600 vert. feet lower. It was the thin wind slab sliding on softer snow underneath." Photo: W Gober
We dug a snow pit on an E facing slope NTL and found a non-reactive, layered snowpack. We got a score of 22 on our ECT with no propagation on what is presumably a new-old snow interface, where the newer snow was on top of wind effected older snow. We did no other tests.
We also found a thin to medium wind crust (1-5cm) on east and northerly slopes ATL. Our descent took us down the SE face and off the opposite shoulder from our snow pit down a north-facing chute. There was an obvious wind effect on the snow surface and we found the same wind crust/slab. Upon a ski cut, I released a very small slab that entrain a decent about of snow by the time it stopped ~600 vert. feet lower. It was the thin wind slab sliding on softer snow underneath. There was an already reported, similar avalanche from the same day higher on the face of Blackmore that ran a bit further and bigger. It seems like it had pretty much the same characteristics.
From obs. 2/27/22: "... on our way up Flanders. Near ridge line there’s a 3-4”, dense wind slab that was quite touchy. I chucked a basketball size piece of cornice onto a small test slope and observed it collapse and crack." Photo: S. Gill
Found 2-4 mm SH on our way up Flanders. Near ridge line there’s a 3-4”, dense wind slab that was quite touchy. I chucked a basketball size piece of cornice onto a small test slope and observed it collapse and crack.
From message 2/27/22: "Skier triggered yesterday in a northeast wind loaded pocket on baldy in S Bridgers. About 6 inches deep and 100ft wide.
Quite a bit of shooting and cracking elsewhere at lower elevations. Felt wind loaded just about everywhere after those east winds."
From message 2/27/22: "Skier triggered yesterday in a northeast wind loaded pocket on baldy in S Bridgers. About 6 inches deep and 100ft wide.
Quite a bit of shooting and cracking elsewhere at lower elevations. Felt wind loaded just about everywhere after those east winds." Photo: J. Keogh
From obs 2/27/22: "Shooting cracks in a thin wind slab on a ridge crest. The slab was small but the collapse was abrupt and propagated 20 feet."
From a group on Flanders Mtn in Hyalite: "I triggered a shallow 2-3cm deep windslab about 20 feet wide just below the ridgeline. I was not on a steep slope, so it barely moved. "
From obs 2/27/22: "Skied Flanders mountain today. Dug a snowpit on a SE facing 24 deg slope at 9700 feet. ECTN24 30cm down on a layer of facets just under an ice crust. Snow above the ice crust was 4F- at most and not hard enough for anything to propagate. Winds were moderate and gusty, transporting a decent amount of snow but not really forming any slabs other than at the ridgeline. I triggered a shallow 2-3cm deep windslab about 20 feet wide just below the ridgeline. I was not on a steep slope, so it barely moved.... didn't see any other signs of instability." Photo: M. Lavery
Skied Flanders mountain today. Dug a snowpit on a SE facing 24 deg slope at 9700 feet. ECTN24 30cm down on a layer of facets just under an ice crust. Snow above the ice crust was 4F- at most and not hard enough for anything to propagate.
Winds were moderate and gusty, transporting a decent amount of snow but not really forming any slabs other than at the ridgeline. I triggered a shallow 2-3cm deep windslab about 20 feet wide just below the ridgeline. I was not on a steep slope, so it barely moved. Partner and I skied 4 laps in the bowl, skiing was great, didn't see any other signs of instability.
