Observation Date: 12/29/2011

Route/Location:
Skied up at Gash Point yesterday,12/29. Plenty of windloading and slabA relatively cohesive snowpack layer. A layer of snow stronger than underlying layers. activity. We skied on a north facing low angle slope, 30 degrees, in the trees and had a fun day.

Weather:
Weather started out snowing and ended up partly clear with lots of wind. Looks like it rained up to almost 8,000 feet as there was a thick hard crustA crust is a hard layer of snow where liquid water has refrozen into grain fabric. Crusts usually result from sun, rain or wind. up to that elevation.

Wind:
Wind was loadingThe addition of weight on top of a snowpack, usually from precipitation, wind drifting, or a person. north and east facing slopes. Lots of snow transport and wind crustA crust is a hard layer of snow where liquid water has refrozen into grain fabric. Crusts usually result from sun, rain or wind.A Wind CrustA crust is a hard layer of snow where liquid water has refrozen into grain fabric. Crusts usually result from sun, rain or wind. is formed when wind deposits a hard packed layer of blown snow, or scours the surface. These are often found on windwardThe upwind side of an obstacle such as a ridge. Usually snow is eroded from windward slopes making them relatively safer. slopes. in spots.

New Snow: 12+”

Snow DensityThe mass of snow per unit volume, but often expressed as a percent water content. New fallen powder has a low densityThe mass of snow per unit volume, but often expressed as a percent water content. New fallen powder has a low density (3-10%), while heavy or wet snow is more dense (10-20%). (3-10%), while heavy or wet snow is more dense (10-20%).: Low

Avalanche Activity:
Saw a natural triggered avalanche on the east facing aspectThe compass direction a slope faces i.e. North, South, East, West. at approx 8600 feet. see attached photos. We stayed well away from any open slopes….

Other Comments:

Observer: Robin Carleton