Photo and observation from 01/20
From obs: "Large roller balls were observed in avalanche terrain on a SE aspect at 8,300'. Alongside this observation, rather wet, sticky snow was observed throughout the tour, causing multiple glopping incidents on our skins." Photo: E. Webb
Skiers on 01/20 saw a natural avalanche that happened the day before on 01/19. Photo: E. Webb
From observations on 01/20:
Shooting cracks above a cornice that created a small avalanche. Photo: D. Halama
From observation on 01/20:
While approaching a cornice skiers collapsed the slope and triggered a small cornice. Photo: E. Webb
Toured Ramshorn Peak from the rd. closure in Tom Miner basin. On approach we observed continuous wumpfing and shooting cracks from 7,500' to 9,900'.
A hand shear on a 20° slope with a SE aspect at 7,800' sheared cleanly upon isolation. This hand shear was completed in a rather shallow (~10") snowpack, with large facets below a slab of thicker, fist dense snow.
Large roller balls were observed in avalanche terrain on a SE aspect at 8,300'. Alongside this observation, rather wet, sticky snow was observed throughout the tour, causing multiple glopping incidents on our skins.
A second hand shear was preformed on a E. aspect, 20° slope around 8,400', which easily sheared clean with light hand pressure. This snowpack was notably thicker than the previous hand shear location, measured closer to 30" with facets below a 6" slab of fist-dense snow.
Near our second hand shear, a 2' cornice on at 27° slope created a large shooting crack that propagated across the whole slope (contained by trees). If said cornice and slab was on a steeper slope, we are pretty sure this slab would've slid.
A several day old avalanche was also spotted on the windward portion of Ramshorn's SW shoulder around 9,800'. Upon further inspection, this slide seemed to be natural and had a crown of ~1.5' with a width of approximately 300'.
Clear evidence of recent wind events (e,g. Thursday's 75mph gusts) were clear on the SE face of Ramshorn, creating several inch thick wind slabs on the face and removing the majority of the snow above from the SW ridge and peak above 10,000'.
We experienced widespread whumpfing on all aspects between 7200'-10200'. Solid slabs were also widespread, ranging between 4''-12'', all of which were sitting on facets. We dug many handpits and the results were extremely reactive, often propagating while cutting the pit. We did not observe any natural slides. We remotely triggered a cornice and large slab, but it did not run due to the slope angle. I'm certain if we ventured into or near steep terrain, something would've run. Between 7200'-9000' we saw many wet loose on slopes > 30, and set off large roller balls on most slopes. Down low it was very warm and felt like an early spring snowpack. From 9000'-10200' it was much colder and wind slab/board was widespread on E & SE aspects. Every aspect we touched up high had shooting cracks and loud whumpfing.
Picture shows collapsing and cracking off skin track.
From FB: Taylor’s Fork today, 8-10 inches of new snow last night. A few small slides but tons of cracking.
