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Professional Observation

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 25, 2023 - January 25, 2023
Submitted:
January 25, 2023
Observer:
Pro
Zone or Region:
Lick Creek Area
Location:
West Facing Lower Lick Creek

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Loose snow sluffs, one ran about 1,000 vertical feet and buried our skin track, faster and further than expected. Sluffing did not entrain additional snow outside of the flow path. Cracking was limited to along the ridgetop at 8,000'

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Good
Confidence in Rating: 
Moderate
Stability Trend: 
Steady

Bottom Line

Snow pack is generally stable but it's still possible to get enough snow moving via surface snow sloughing to get one in trouble (see photos below). Still skiing a bit cautiously in avalanche path start zones, mostly in the moderate hazard type of program.

Media

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Wind:
Moderate , N

We were mostly out of the wind with the exception of the ridge top at 8,000'. We did talk to a party on the east facing side of the drainage that said the north winds made it very difficult to be on northerly aspects. Some blowing snow at times. A bit of wind transported snow in our skin track on our 2nd lap, minor. Light snow on and off during the day.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Comments Photo
1 Today Lick Creek West facing 7,800' Elevation
W 7,800' 		D1.5 L S-New Snow 6" AS-Skier
u-Unintentional 		I'd say "somewhat intentional". We were expecting Loose snow sloughing. One ran 1,000' and buried our skin track in a few places. This could have easily knocked a person over and taken them for a ride.

We had to move out of the way of sloughing snow at times today.

Snowpack Observations

Some solar aspects have a crust below the surface.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Dry Loose
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Layer Depth/Date: 6"
Numerous sloughing today. Of note was one slough that ran almost 1,000 vertical feet and buried our skin track. See photos below. This is a good example of a reason not to follow a random skin track in avalanche terrain. Luckily we don't have hordes of folks doing that here like some other places I've seen.

I also imagine it would be possible to trigger a wind slab in the upper elevations today. We avoided wind loaded terrain so this is just an educated guess based on poking a few drifted areas..

Terrain Use

Although we were in the start zones of avalanche paths today, I do not think we have "greenlight" conditions, still traveling with a bit of caution.

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