Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 9, 2022Submitted:
January 9, 2022Observer:
Josh Feinberg | Key ObserverZone or Region:
Pine CreekLocation:
Mt Tom - NW facing couloir, stable but firmSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
Very GoodConfidence in Rating:
HighStability Trend:
SteadyKey Points
- Beautiful day, full sunshine and calm winds. 32°F at 1pm at 11,700′. Driving thru Crowley at 8:30am the temperature was -2°F!
- Checked out a NW facing couloir with hopes that perhaps it might have provided some shelter for its snow from the wind. Not so much. Quite firm throughout, but mostly smooth and edgeable.
- No signs of instability. All the wind deposits from top to bottom were welded except for a couple tiny shallow plates.
- Evidence that this couloir avalanched during the last big storm,
- Ice ax and crampons a must!
Ice ax and crampons a must in this steep NW facing couloir.
Firm wind effected conditions
