Trigger | Natural | Remote Trigger | No |
Avalanche Type | Wet Slab | Aspect | Southeast |
Elevation | 4000ft | Slope Angle | unknown |
Crown Depth | unknown | Width | unknown |
Vertical Run | unknown |
The goal of my tour was to assess rapidly warming snow surfaces, document recent avalanches, and look at structure on southerly aspects to help predict a wet-slab cycle. On a south aspect at 3800′ I found two melt layers 15cm and 35 cm deep, numerous moist to wet layers, and red flags indicative of a wet slab problem.
Trigger | Natural | Remote Trigger | No |
Avalanche Type | Wet Slab | Aspect | Southeast |
Elevation | 4000ft | Slope Angle | unknown |
Crown Depth | unknown | Width | unknown |
Vertical Run | unknown |
SE aspect of Skyscraper 4000', Natural wet loose that triggered a wet slab. We saw a few of these combos today in various locations.
Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Rapid warming today with recent wet loose and wet slabs observed on SE, S, SW, and W aspects above 3500'.
No new snow since 4/11-13
Light winds kept snow surfaces slightly cooler today
Temps:
4500': 10am 33degF, 1pm 42deg F
3550': 10am 35degF, 1pm 37deg F- no freeze overnight on 4/20
2700': 10am 41 degF, 1pm 43degF- no freeze overnight on 4/20 with slight freeze on 4/19
Snow surfaces are variable depending on aspect and slope angle (angle of incidence to sun) and range from crust to cream cheese to soft butter. Slight changes in aspect make a big difference.
see pit
no propagation