Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
December 15, 2022 - December 15, 2022Submitted:
December 15, 2022Observer:
ProZone or Region:
Big Creek SummitLocation:
North side of parking area at summitSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
GoodConfidence in Rating:
ModerateStability Trend:
ImprovingBottom Line
We avoided wind loaded slopes and approached avalanche terrain with healthy skepticism. We did a few ski cuts on steep roll overs without any results and had minimal to no loose snow sloughing in steeper terrain. Early season moderate is tough to trust and many logs, rocks, stumps still lurk. We skied with a cautious excitement and reminded ourselves to “tone it down” at one point. Over all snow depths 4-5 feet.
Media
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Partly CloudyTemperature:
20Wind:
Light , NEClouds in and out during the morning, cold temperatures and low sun angle prevented most solar aspects from getting heat. Snow in trees was not melting/dripping.
Avalanche Observations
Crowns in mid elevation north facing terrain from the late November/early December event had begun to refill from the most recent storm. No signs of recent avalanches.
Snowpack Observations
Did not dig a pit. Settlement over the past few days has improved travel conditions and created a thick bridge over the early November facets, however thinner areas near rocks are still suspicious to me.
Avalanche Problems
Current avalanche problems seemed confined to wind loaded slopes from the strong north east winds earlier in the week.
Terrain Use
We tiptoed into steeper terrain, but primarily stuck with wind sheltered soft snow in trees with a healthy appetite to take another lap. As the day progressed, we felt more comfortable with the snowpack, but still remained vigilant of changing snow conditions especially near wind affected ridges.
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