Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
November 23, 2022 - November 23, 2022Submitted:
November 23, 2022Observer:
Clancy Nelson | ESAC ForecasterZone or Region:
Rock CreekLocation:
Rock Creek - Do You Like Sugar?Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
IsolatedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedOn a northeast aspect at 10,680 feet, I triggered a very small hard slab on a test slope. The slab had been deposited by westerly winds last week. The weak layer was large facets.
- Slab: P hard, 2-4 inches thick.
- Weak Layer: 2-3mm FCs.
- Slope: 30 degrees, very small test slope.
Key Points
We braved the bush and buried rocks to get some early-season snowpack info from the Rock Creek drainage.
- The snow is shallow and coverage is poor, which was our primary hazard.
- We did trigger a hard slab on a test slope. Large facets made up the weak layer that failed.
- Almost the entire snowpack in this drainage consists of well-developed faceted grains.
We moved slowly traveling on roads and trails. Obstacles abound and the weak snowpack isn’t giving any cushion under your feet. I wouldn’t recommend Rock Creek for more than a cross-country ski until the snow is deeper.
Media
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Partly CloudyTemperature:
The Rock Creek Weather Station Peaked at 45*F at 1pmWind:
Calm , NE
A few high hazy clouds. Temps rose above freezing quickly in the morning and stayed warm all day. Mostly calm wind with a few Light gusts from the northeast.
Snowpack Observations
Snow depths ranged from 15cm below 9500 feet to 35cm at 10680 feet.
- The snowpack is anchored by rocks, logs, and brush except in couloirs and the tops of alpine bowls.
- SE, S, and SW aspects have mostly melted out. The snow on these aspects was covered by a melt-freeze crust in the morning that thawed to moist melt forms in the afternoon.
- NW, N, and NE aspects had the most coverage. The entire snowpack on these aspects was made up of 2-4mm, F hard, facets. I even found 4-6mm chained depth hoar near the ground.
- On E and NE aspects near and above treeline there are some wind-hardened surfaces atop the facets. These range from thin wind crusts to 4-6 inch thick hard slabs where we traveled.
Terrain Use
We moved slowly utilizing roads and trails. We did have to ski down a little ways from our high point and the weak snowpack provided no protection from the rocks and logs just under the surface.
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