Public Observation
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 31, 2022Submitted:
February 1, 2022Zone or Region:
Big Creek SummitActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
North Side 1st KnobTriggered Avalanches
Did you trigger any avalanches?
YesWas it intentional?
YesAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
7500Aspect:
NEComments:
Reactive wind slab on NE aspects above 7500'. Depth was 8-12", width varied 50-75', ran 100-200' downslope.Photo:
Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, IsolatedDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
NoObservations
We intended to ski 35-45 degree terrain that we skied three days prior. We discussed the possibility of wind slab on NE aspects and wanted to observe evidence of wind slab en route to steeper terrain. After gathering information and triggering small avalanches on similar aspects and slope angles that we intended to ski, we changed our plans. 4 out of 7 signs within ALPTRUTH were present. The new snow was reactive and located on specific terrain (the terrain we intended to ski). The size was D1-1.5, the new snow problem was fairly manageable. However, the terrain we wanted to ski was steep high consequence terrain with lots of terrain traps. We elected for terrain under 35 degrees with lower consequences.
Good powder to be had. 2-4" new. Winds light, gusting moderate out of the W/SW. Snowfall was S-1 with heavier squalls of S1 to S2 until the early afternoon. South aspects didn't receive quite enough new snow to make the crust enjoyable.
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