Observation: Portage / Placer

Location: Road Observations

Date:
Observer:
N. Champion
Route & General Observations

Drove through Portage Valley between 12:00 – 1:00pm looking for recent activity associated with the past three days of stormy weather.

Found evidence of natural avalanches throughout Portage Valley (debris and filled in crowns).

Red Flags
Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.
Obvious signs of instability
Recent Avalanches?Yes
Collapsing (Whumphing)?No
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?No
Observer Comments

Multiple D1-D3.5 slab avalanches in the Portage Valley - primarily noted on the northern aspect of the compass. (NW-N). A large natural ridge crest crown was seen (D3-3.5) on NW facing slope of Byron drainage.

Other crowns and debris noted on Maynard (North of the Whittier tunnel) D2-3.

Weather & Snow Characteristics
Please provide details to help us determine the weather and snowpack during the time this observation took place.
Weather

Mid/Upper 20s
Broken Sky (BKN)
Very light Mixed Rain/Snow (RS)
Light Winds

Photos & Video
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Northern face above Byron Glacier trail - Natural crown reaching the ridge crest  

Northern face on Byron - Natural crown reaching ridge crest - with road sign  

Northern Aspect on Williwaw - natural crown beside small glacier  

Location


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