Professional Observation

Basic Information

Observation Date:

February 18, 2022

Submitted:

February 18, 2022

Observer:

Brooke Maushund | Pro Observer

Zone or Region:

June Lake

Location:

Devils Slide - soft snow; moist surface conditions on approach

Recent Avalanches?

None Observed

Cracking?

None Experienced

Collapsing?

None Experienced

Stability Rating:

Good

Confidence in Rating:

High

Stability Trend:

Steady

Good skiing can still be found where sun effect did not melt away the entire base (as on some solar aspects) before this last storm.
- That being said, be cautious of new snow barely covering obstacles (rocks, branches, etc.)
Snow down at lower elevations (~7400-8500′) had 2-4cm of moist snow on top of a crust which made skinning challenging at times, especially with glopping
Wind effect was present only on the very top of the roll into the slide path, and along the tops of the ridge. No signs of wind slabs observed

Glopping was in fact, still very much a possibility

Surface conditions varied from firm surface with powder on top (challenging) to breakable (good skinning)

First roll into the slide had minimal wind scouring and then loading along each of it's sides, however no signs of slabs were found

Skiing was mostly soft, new snow. However, depending on the side of the feature you skied, you could encounter wind scouring. 2/3 of the way down the chute, coverage was shallow for approximately 100 vertical feet, with few exposed rocks.

The old debris at the base of the slide, now a host to new snow on its surface, has plenty of icy blocks and chunks present beneath the soft snow.

Advanced Information

Cloud Cover:

Clear

Temperature:

>0°C whole tour

Wind:

Calm , SW

1245 / HS 35cm on approach / CLR / AirT >0°C / 7416′ / flat land / calm wind
1335 / HS 86 / 3-4cm moist snow on surface / CLR / AirT 5°C / 8040′ / N aspect / calm wind
1420 / HS 85 / 1-2cm moist snow on surface / CLR / AirT > 0°C / 8500′ / NE along ridgeline / light wind out of the SW
1536 / HS 146 / dry top layer of snow 6cm then down to firm old snow surface / AirT 2.2°C / 9140′ / NE aspect atop slide / light wind out of SW

Toured off Highway 158 near the Fern Creek Trailhead at 1245 with CLR skies. Along our climb up the face just lookers L of the feature, we encountered 2-3cm (on average) of wet snow on top of a firmer crust which at times could make for challenging skinning conditions. Surface conditions varied as we ascended the face, finding everything from breakable crust, to just soft snow without a crust below in sheltered, treed areas. As we made our way up to the first bench, the layer of soft snow on top of the firm surface became thinner and thinner, making skinning thoughtful enough that we decided to simply boot the rest of the way to the top of the last roll before following the ridgeline to the top of the slide.

Conditions atop the slide showed evidence of a small amount of wind scouring and loading on opposite sides of the feature, however skiing once in the slide path was mostly soft, new snow. However, depending on the side of the feature you skied, you could encounter wind scouring. 2/3 of the way down the chute, coverage was shallow for approximately 100 vertical feet, with few exposed rocks. The old debris at the base of the slide, now a host to new snow on its surface, has plenty of icy blocks and chunks present beneath the soft snow.