Public Observation

Observation Date:

March 31, 2023

Submitted:

March 31, 2023

Zone or Region:

Lone Pine

Activity:

Skiing/Snowboarding

Location:

Mount Langley

Skied the north couloir of Mount Langley today. Left the car at 730 and summited at 1300. Surface conditions varied from supportable sun crust below 9,000', a mix of sastrugi and soft storm snow from 9,000'-11,000', soft snow and wind crust in the couloir, and firm windboard from ~13,600, to the summit. Skinable snow began ~6,600. The 3/19 PWL was not present in the couloir.

On the skin in, we encountered an impressive debris pile at ~8,000'. The slide had incised into the drainage, destroying and carrying mature trees as well as large boulders. The start zone was not clearly visible, but I would estimate D4 in size.

Did you observe any avalanches?

Yes

Avalanche Type:

Size:

Size 4: Could destroy a railway car, large truck, several buildings, or a substantial amount of forest

Elevation:

NTL

Aspect:

N

Comments:

None reported