Detailed Observation

Date2021-10-16
LocationHaines
ObserverErik Stevens
AvalancheN

General Observations

Old Faithful, Saturday 10/16/2021. Cool, calm, sunny. Temperatures remained below freezing all day. Snow is deep enough to skin starting around 2500ft.

Above 3000ft: snowpack is 30-100cm deep, averaging about 60cm in most places. These NE aspects were wind protected and the snow was surprisingly soft and good. Snowpack consisted of well bonded storm layers with 4F +/- hardness throughout. Dense enough to support a skier and provide a solid base, with about 30cm of excellent cold powder on top. At the ground there was some weakness where grass/brush was supporting the snow, but the pack felt pretty well locked up for now. Did see large glide cracks and glide avalanches from a few days ago when the weather was warmer and wetter. Overall good stability, no real sign of recent wind slabs or any red flags. Found one little pocket of surface wind slab about 10cm thick, was too small to pose any concern.

Coverage is excellent. Snow quality is extremely excellent. Stability is good, but its still important to reduce your risk exposure in steep areas: travel one at a time, utilize safe zones and uptracks that avoid the steepest rollovers, and always have a BEACON, SHOVEL, AND PROBE

Watch out for rocks in the thinner areas, and be aware of any changing conditions (warming, new rain or snowfall, fresh wind loading) that may decrease stability on future days.

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Weather Observations

Foot Penetration60cm
Ski Penetration30cm
Wind Speed0
Sky Coverclear
Temperature25F-30F

Observed Avalanche Activity