Observation Date: 02/13/2014

Route/Location:
Headed up Bass Creek and then up the Lappi Lake drainage.

Weather:
Light rain at trailhead. Rain turned to graupel a short distance from trailhead. Light snow above 5800′.

Wind:
Gusty to 30-40 mph

New Snow: 6-12″

Avalanche Activity:
Dug pit on NW facing, 30 degree open slope. 135cm of snowpack. CT3 Q2 at new snow interface (15cm new snow at pit location) New snow had formed a one finger density wind slab on top of 4 finger density powder and cracked while breaking trail. No evidence of rain/melt crust above 6500′. Several other layers in the snowpack gave varying scores and the potential for a step down avalanche seemed possible. We elected not to continue and skied out without incident. No natural slides were observed.

Other Comments:

Observer: Joshua Phillips