Observation Date: 02/05/2012

Route/Location:
Up summer trail to foot bridge, up south facing gullyA steep gully in alpine terrain. In winter, a couloir is usually filled with snow bound by rocks on either side. to the summit of Mill 2, aka Spurgeon point (next high point west of Mill Point on the Blodgett/Mill divide). Down gullyA steep gully in alpine terrain. In winter, a couloir is usually filled with snow bound by rocks on either side. and out to car.

Weather:
Warm in sun, cold in shade, calm.

Wind:

New Snow: No New Snow

Avalanche Activity:
We saw a fair amount of old avalanche debris in the main gullyA steep gully in alpine terrain. In winter, a couloir is usually filled with snow bound by rocks on either side. on the south face of Mill 2, probably from the avalanche cycle during the January 20 storm cycle. No other signs of avalanches. Also worth noting, no significant glideWhen the entire snowpack slowly moves as a unit on the ground, similar to a glacier. crackThe spreading of a fractureThe physical separation of the slabA relatively cohesive snowpack layer. A layer of snow stronger than underlying layers. from the bed surface and surrounding snow during the initiation of a slabA relatively cohesive snowpack layer. A layer of snow stronger than underlying layers. avalanche. or crack within the snowpack. development observed yet this year. All visual observations indicated a stable snowpack – no cracking, collapsingWhumpf has actually been adopted as a technical avalanche term to describe the sound of a collapsing snowpack when you cross the snow. A sign of instability. or sluffing on steep aspects.

We dug a pit at ~8,500′ in a 35 deg, southeast facing, wind loaded starting zoneThe portion of an avalanche path where an avalanche releases.. We only dug down 3 ft. The only failure of concern was at 18″, CT28 Q1 and ECTP30. This failure was on a 2 cm thick graupelHeavily rimed new snow, often shaped like little Styrofoam balls. layer, and the shears were energetic and clean. We were surprised to find the clean, energetic shear, and modified our route accordingly.

Other Comments:

Observer: Brian Story