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Payette Avalanche Center

Public Observation

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 18, 2020
Submitted:
December 18, 2020
Zone or Region:
Big Creek Summit
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Big Creek Summit

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
No
Avalanche Type:
Size:
Elevation:
Aspect:
Comments:

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
6200 and up
Aspect:
N
Comments:
Many small naturals, some may have been sympathetic to plowing along the road. All were on steep rollovers. I'd be pretty concerned on north aspects in this area......
Photo:

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
Yes, Isolated
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
Yes, Isolated

Observations

On south aspects, easy to get failures on facets below the suncrust below the storm snow (HST-10"). photo of quick column is from about 7200'. moderately easy shears. Also quick ECTP11 Q2-3. this could be an issue as crust decomposes.

Media

Quick column
Another natural not near highway.

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Storm Slab
Comments: 
Cracking and collapsing on mid elevation norths. Culprit is facets below storm snow. Cracks up to 75' long. Storm snow is overlying facets on all shady aspects.
Observed Avalanche Problem #2: 

Comments: 
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