Observation Date:
March 7, 2021
Submitted:
March 7, 2021
Zone or Region:
Northern Wallowas
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
SCS
Did you observe any avalanches?
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Hard Slab
Size:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person
Elevation:
8000'
Aspect:
NE
Comments:
Went touring out of SCS and hit the low-angle norths out of Cabin Creek before you get to Whitebark Ridge. Dug a real rough pit at 7800' on a NNE aspect right around 30 degrees to see how the recent snow (15-20cm) was bonding to the melt-freeze crust and was surprised when cutting out our compression test block that it slid at the 2/22 rain crust about 50cm down. ECTP23 on that layer. Decided to stick to mellow and fun stuff knowing that layer could be an issue, especially given variable conditions with wind, sun, and recent warm-ups.
When returning to our rigs, stopped above Baird's to look at the Wing Tip and South Ridge when we saw an avalanche. It started at the top of the ridge and we were far enough away that we weren't sure if was intentionally triggered or not. Observed at 1230.
Photo:
None reported
7800' NNE 30-degree CTVE block slid on 2/22 rain crust when isolating column 50cm down
ECTP23 on same layer