Snow Observations List

On Mt. Blackmore we dug a pit on the east face near the ridgeline. We measured 10-12" of new snow that fell over the last week, equalling 0.7" of snow water equivalent. In the trees and less wind affected areas there were 14-16" recent snow, but we did not measure SWE there. In our snowpit on an east-facing slope at 9700' we found this new snow sitting on 2' of faceted snow, showing us that the structure is there to create avalanches. While stability tests were not remarkable with scores of ECTX and ECTP29, we did not feel like stepping into avalanche terrain was an appropriate decision for two reasons. First, we know the snowpack setup is capable of creating large avalanches and new snow will increase the likelihood of this. Second, recent wind has drifted the new snow into thicker denser slabs that will add additional weight to already unstable slopes. We saw clear signs of wind loading with fresh cornices forming at ridgelines and pillows of wind-drifted snow forming at the top of rollovers. While skiing out my partner and I both noted that the snow felt unsupportable with our skis breaking through to the facets below. We also discussed that as more snow and wind come this week dangerous avalanche conditions will continue to exist. 

Wind was calm and there was no new snow overnight. A small whumpf in the skin track was followed by a massive one a few minutes later. I can count on one hand the number of times I got whumpfs in a skin track...rare indeed. The second one was so big it had us both deeply concerned. We peeled off the skin track after deciding to not cross a gully and soon found debris from a sizeable avalanche that released a couple days ago about 500' above us. We dug in the flank and had 100 cm of snow, 60 cm new from last week. The snowfall during the Avalanche Warning, doubled the depth and more than doubled the snow water equivalent of the snowpack. It was a large load and avalanches are breaking underneath the new snow.

Karl was using his 100 cm long Norwegian Battle Saw (pic)...a bit overkill.

We observed three similar avalanches on Mt Abundance today (2/11). All were at about 9,900' and on NE-NW aspects. We were able to safely look at the crown of the first one, which was ~150' wide, 55cm deep, and with an HS of 145. It failed on 1-2 cm buried surface hoar. The other avalanches were on shallow unsupported rocky terrain. All were remote triggered from low angle terrain above, 20-50' away. One of the avalanches sympathetically released a gully and ran 800'.

Natural avalanches observed on east facing aspect of Miller Ridge on 2/11. Larger avalanche propagated widely on the north end of the ridge around 10,000 ft. Smaller avalanche further south on the ridge as well. 

We got the same feedback that Dave and Doug did on 2/5/24 - collapsing every time we stepped out of the skin track or turned with any force, as well as a few sizable collapses triggered from inside the skin track. Very touchy, skied very well. Stayed well away from avy terrain.

We got the same feedback that Dave and Doug did on 2/5/24 - collapsing every time we stepped out of the skin track or turned with any force, as well as a few sizable collapses triggered from inside the skin track. Very touchy, skied very well. Stayed well away from avy terrain.

From IG message: “It looks like the lawn mower up north deep creek slide full path. Looking through Bino’s from the valley it looked fairly fresh. Multiple fracture lines up at the starting point. I assume it went naturally”

From IG: “Here is a big avalanche remotely triggered yesterday up lionshead area”

Driving up the canyon this morning, 3-4 fresh slides can be spotted on Baldy and Saddle Peak

From FB 2/10/24: "Another view of White peak south along ridge in UPR TeePee basin slide from wailer this week. Looked like was from a rider earlier this week. This view was from the slopes south of Lee Metcalf Wilderness boundary looking toward SW."

From IG 2/10/24: “Multiple avalanches in the northern lions head on the eastern half of the compass. All were at around 8,500 feet.”

From IG 2/10/24: “East aspect, southwest of island park from the blue creek trailhead.”

From email on 02/10/2024: "Yesterday, I skied a few Submarine and a few Woody Ridge laps. Collapsing/shooting cracks were widespread and thunderous. Snowfall totals seemed closer to 12” unsettled, with minimal wind. Biggest collapses were near the ridgecrest (1st pic was an impressive shooting crack). 

Today heading up Republic, we observed the crown of a recent avy on Woody Ridge north (pic 2). I wondered for a sec if I had remoted it yesterday but I was further south. The avy looked to originate around 9800’ on a west (slight north) aspect in rocky terrain. Appeared natural from what we could see from the drainage. 

We skied a zone south of woody proper, and had less but still pretty regular collapsing and cracking, though steep tester slopes were nonreactive to ski cuts, surprisingly. Still very little wind. "

Whumphing, collapsing and shooting cracks on all aspects, at all elevations. The longest shooting crack went over 100' long, shot right out in front of me on a 24deg E aspect slope. Propagating collapses out to 40 feet or so, very thin overall snowpack. Moderately nice turns on low angle slopes above 7300 but had to be very careful not to bottom out.

From my high point, it looked like the entirety of the large avalanche path on Ernie Miller Ridge E face slid recently, obvious crown on lookers L side and appeared to go wall to wall for the path (R4+). Unknown if natural.  

Very obviously terrible snowpack, it's total garbage out there. 

As we were coming out, I spotted this cracking above the creek. A sled has passed nearby on the right side ( you can see the track). The snow cracked and was starting to rub in the left (barely). 

It was above the creek and could have created a trap for someone below. 

This is just below the cabin Creek cabin where all the stands coverage. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/KyH21E7a9vts2UAF6

Went for a little jaunt up History Rock this afternoon. Had two small localized whumfs near the top of the E facing meadow. Up to 20cm storm snow over a (mostly) supportive crust over facets. In the N facing meadow this crust was thin (<1cm) and breakable.

We spotted these fairly fresh looking avalanches all side by side with no apparent tracks leading into them. Likely either natural or remote triggered earlier in the day or overnight.

Witnessed a natural slide/sluff today day off the top of 1/4 Saddle around 3:30 pm from the Bitterend. Visibility was poor could not see the starting point. The slide produced a large dust cloud running down the right side of the Football field, which would could have taken a person for a ride. The slide ran over the cliffs skiers left of Lundy's Luge. The debris covered all the tracks the from the high traverse across the Cueball. Probably wound not have buried a person, but certainly would have rocked your world. Strong winds on the ridge were loading lee slopes, forming wind slabs right off the ridge line. Would expect more natural activity tonight, and human triggered tomorrow if someone wants to poke the bear.

Photos of a natural avalanche in the NE/E facing bowl of Ernie Miller Ridge. Likely happened in the last few days. 

We saw one other small avalanche in the trees below the ridge too far for a decent photo.