| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observation: Summit
Location: Manitoba Mtn
This observation is the culmination of 3 trips up Manitoba Mtn from 2/25-27/20. All followed the standard uptrack on jeep trail from Manitoba Hut (1157ft). On 2/25 was snowing with poor vis so only skied to treeline (2200ft) below Manitoba bowl. Wind transported snow was filling in our tracks as we descended to cabin. On 2/26 had 1 inch new snow at the cabin with clearing skies. Skied to 3300ft on N. flank of Manitoba bowl. Minor cornices on ridge top on N. side Manitoba bowl. Ski cutting got 1ft thick ski length soft slabs to slide on a buried windpacked surface for only a few feet. For this reason decided to not climb any higher on the mtn as slope angles above this point increase into the 30deg range. 2/27 broke bluebird with no wind. Skied to 2927ft where did quck snowpit.
Obvious signs of instability
Observer Comments
Small point releases on S. facing ridge 2.5 mi N. of Manitoba Mtn (pic). Am assuming that they occurred on 2/27.
Weather
Snowed most of 2/25 with 1 in. accumulation overnight. Was wind transport at higher elevations. 2/26 had clearing in the am with 17F at the hut at 0800 and partly cloudy skies by pm. Calm winds.
2/27 was bluebird with calm winds and 2F at at the hut at 0800.
Snow surface
On 2/25 was obscured vis with snow falling with 5-10 NW wind transporting snow at upper elevations. All loose new snow. No wind crust. On 2/26 1 in. new loose snow. On 2/27 broken particles at hut with no SH. On mtn at 1424ft encountered 2mm SH on snow from 2/25. SH was continuous from that ele. and grew in size to 4mm at 2900ft. Forming over new loose new new.
As of 1600 on 2/27 observed no solar affects on S. facing slope of Manitoba.
Snowpack
Did quick test pit at 2927ft. Was 27F at 1300, SA = 28deg,, BP = 30cm. TSD = 240cm+. Probe went in over its head. Ocm at top since didn't reach ground. 0-1cm F, 4mm SH; 1-30cm, broken particles, 2mm;30-100cm at pit bottom, P, 0.5mm Rounds. Did not get down to any buried facet layers or M/F crusts. Got CT26, breaking on P hard snow. Got ECTX.
View E. to Manitoba mtn bowl 2/27.
Avalanche fracture line and debris from avalanche occurring during previous storm cycle. On Butch? Ridge, 2.5 mi south of
Point releases on S. facing slope on E. side Seward hiway, approx 2.5 mi N. of Manitoba mtn.