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Payette Avalanche Center

Public Observation

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 14, 2022
Submitted:
January 15, 2022
Zone or Region:
Brundage Out of Bounds
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Sgts ENE West, and North Aspects

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

PAC toured Sgt's on Friday..we saw No signs of instabilities. We Skied N,E, and West and stepped out on the North aspect and had no results on a Ski Cutting North, Steep wind loaded terrain at the top of the peak was that was firm, as you got down lower conditions softened. North aspect had a supportable 6-8 inch layer that is denser than the snow below (hard to cut with a pole/isolate in a mit pit at 7500'). Winds were very calm and the warm temps were dropping snow out of the trees at times. Good soft snow survived in areas that were protected from the Sun and wind. Afternoon temps and sun helped to loosen up crusts for travel.

Media

Still cold, preserved good soft snow in areas that were protected from the wind and snow
Mit pit: Just below the softer surface 2 inches of snow, it is dense for 6-8 inches. It was hard with my pole to saw through this 6-8 inch layer that formed on the North of Sgt's during variable brief winds out of the Northwest. 
N aspect of Sgts, North of Brundage Mtn at 76000 FT still harboring surface hoar in this wind and sun protected pocket...something that may lead to future problems
Good stability on a Soft Supprtable but denser Upside down layer of snow that formed under recent variable, brief North winds underneath this beautiful snow. Hard skiing could dive tips into the denser 6-inch slabby layer.
Looking South
Looking North on Sgt's Ridge at the evidence on the cornice of South West winds etching the snow (called sastrugi) from bottom left to the upper right.
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