Public Observation
Observation Details
Observation Date:
February 7, 2023Submitted:
February 7, 2023Zone or Region:
West Mountain AreaActivity:
Snowmobiling/SnowbikingLocation:
Deer Creek Slide Path on Anderson Groomed RouteObserved Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
7200-7400Aspect:
EComments:
Deer Creek Slide path and adjoining slopes off of the Anderson Creek groomed trail. Multiple slides with 4 that hit or crossed the trail. Other slides were visible in the upper elevation terrain near Raft and Skein Lakes.Photo:
Signs of Unstable Snow
Observations
Multiple small avalanches within larger Deer Creek and adjoining slide paths west of Cascade. While this is a popular slope for motorized users, there were no tracks visible on the slopes that failed. 4 of the slides ran into or over the groomed route. Some started in the obviously wind loaded terrain near ridgetop while many were on lower slopes that were cross loaded based on the uneven depths. 2 were D1.5-2 size. Mit pits failed when lower crust layer was isolated. Best guess on timing would be late Sunday night or early Monday morning as there was no new snow on the bed surfaces. Bed surfaces varied between 2 separate crusts and a layer of faceted (no visible SH) snow below the lower crust (8-10 inches at this elevation). Several of the slides stepped down through both crusts with crown heights between 12 and 18 inches.
Media
