Public Observation
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 1, 2021Submitted:
January 1, 2021Zone or Region:
Warm Lake areaActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Near Warm LakeSigns of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, WidespreadDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, WidespreadObservations
Collapsing and cracking was widespread but only between 6000 and 6500' . Some really big ones, at 1st I thought air and bush pockets but the size and scope and a hand pit made me decide it was the weak faceted snow in this area,
Rime crust in this area was a lot weaker than West Mountain yesterday, a true light zipper crust.
Foto - Lot's of rime at 8,000'.
Travel in this area is an adventure below 6,500', your new Xmas skis are not recommended.
Media
Advanced Observations
Observed Avalanche Problem #1:
Persistent SlabComments:
Facets in this area are at the ground. This is different than other places I've been in the West Central Mountains, a lot different. Snow pit in foto below shows the basal facets hollowed out. 4-finger plus and very slightly damp. Facet foto is the best I could do with IPhone, 1-2mm and very slightly rounding in places. ECTN 22 at the top of the facets, slab broke and did not propagate.. It seems that in this area there was a lot less snow in the November cycle. 7,600' west aspectWhile I agree with the hazard rating today, I am still traveling with extra caution, I don't like facets. If this layer fails, it would fail near the ground, high consequence. we generally kept slope angles less than 30 degrees.