Meltwater moved deep into weak layers on north facing slopes in the lower to middle elevations. Thinking about this water continuing to pool if overnight temperatures don't help produce a solid freeze is troubling. Wet avalanches were naturally failing in the Eastern mountains.
It was mostly clear skies, warm temperatures, and strong solar input.
# | Date | Location | Size | Type | Bed Sfc | Depth | Trigger | Photos | Details |
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2 |
Apr 9, 2023 (+/- 1 day) |
Scorpion Mountain W 10200ft |
D2 | N-Natural |
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Report | |||
1 |
Apr 9, 2023 (+/- 1 day) |
Grays Peak SW 10200ft |
D3.5 | HS-Hard Slab | O-Old Snow | N-Natural |
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Report |
# | Date | Location | Size | Type | Bed Sfc | Depth | Trigger | Comments | Photo |
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2 |
Patterson Peak W 8000 |
D1.5 | WL |
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1 |
Patterson Peak W 7000 |
D1.5 | SS | N-Natural |
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My primary goal was to see how far free water was moving into the snowpack. On a north facing slope at 7,200', the whole upper 10 cm was saturated. Water was pooling up down 37 cm and occasionally making it down 65 cm in spots to the 2/18 faceted layer.
At 8,100' on a NE slope, the upper 7-10 cm was saturated but not progressing further. At 1900 hr, the surface was frozen again with a zipper crust. At this elevation, today's temperatures didn't get warm enough to push water further into the snowpack on the north facing slopes.
As I descended, I dug on a W-NW slope at 7,600'. The water traveled down to the faceted layer 85 cm from the surface. More water was freely moving down on a western aspect in direct sunlight, even with the setting sun.
Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
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Comments: Based on observed natural activity around this area and surrounding eastern mountains. |
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Comments: This is more based on the activity in the eastern mountains, but the small slabs near Patterson Peak and last week's activity in Indian Creek have me leery of west facing slopes. |
The Wet Slab problem is at the tipping point in the lower end of the middle elevation norths. Water is making its way down to the faceted snow, and tomorrow's temperatures will be even warmer.
Solo travel. I avoided skiing on avalanche terrain.