Detailed Observation

Date2020-02-05
LocationHaines
ObserverClifton Miller
AvalancheN

General Observations

Braved the weather up Lutak on Wednesday. Rain, Warming, Wind, Cracks, Heavy wet snow were all RED FLAGS. Ended up turning around due to poor snow and weather conditions. Snow pack is upside down with cohesive wet slab on top of the cold facets and melt freeze from last week. Most of the hike up was in the rain with snow falling out of the trees. In the treeline, rain turned to melt/freeze with heavy snow falling. In more open areas, a breakable "zipper" crust made turns difficult and allowed wet snowfall to propagate small slabs during traveling tests. Jumping on switchbacks collapsed with propagation, and probing/quick pits showed wet snow on top of dry snow with multiple crusts. 

Uploaded Images

Weather Observations

Observed Avalanche Activity