Observation: Summit

Santa’s Helper is finding low probability high consequence avalanche conditions around the greater Summit Lake zone. Consistent mid 20’s ect failures on a cracker crust deep in the snowpack at multiple aspects and elevations 2-4000ft. Weak layer is about 2-3 inches above the stout crust protecting the basal facets on the ground. Clean shears with little propagation. Many large naturals have recently occurred, yet many slopes with similar aspect/loading as ones that have avalanched are lurking untouched. Much of the visible avy debris contains blocks of intact slab. Winds have created soft to stout slabs, supportable and trap crusts in exposed terrain and along ridgetops.