Public Observation

Observation Details

Observations

My touring partner and I set out about 8:15 AM to ski NE face of South Pk in Virginia Lakes (30 - 35 degrees). Snow was firm, very supportable until about 10:30. It softened rapidly. I reached the summit about 11:00 am. A touring party ahead we’re just dropping in. They traversed the NE face to the North Face. On their way they set off a wet slide.
As I waited for my partner, a second party dropped into the NE Face. They triggered a larger wet slide; their small dog got swept away, but survived ok.
My partner didn’t summit until noon. By now things were far too wet and warm.
We descended cautiously with wet slides following. These were 8-10” deep running 3/4 of the NE face. Debris piles were 2-3 feet deep. We worked our way to the North aspects under Mt Olson, much firmer.
My takeaway: cloudy overnight weather made snowpack melt more rapidly than expected.

Triggered Avalanches

Observed Avalanches

Signs of Unstable Snow