Public Observation

Observation Date:

February 18, 2022

Submitted:

February 19, 2022

Zone or Region:

Hazard Lake Area

Activity:

Skiing/Snowboarding

Location:

Buck Lake

Did you trigger any avalanches?

Yes

Was it intentional?

Yes

Avalanche Type:

Dry Loose (Sluff)

Size:

Size 1: Relatively harmless to people

Elevation:

7700’

Aspect:

N

Comments:

Skiing steeper terrain, we were able to initiate loose dry sluffs. These did not run far and were not slab like. They were predictable and small.

None reported

New few inches of snow from earlier in the week really helped conditions. Snow had formed wind pillows along ridge lines and the NW winds had scoured slopes along ridges.

Frozen chicken heads lurked underneath the new snow as did the stout crust. Low angle wind and sun protected slopes provided the best skiing conditions.

Noted surface hoar development on shady aspects.

Snow became wet in the sunny aspects and grabby during the exit at 3:30.