Observation type
Avalanche

Observer
Rob Siminoski

Keep me anonymous if published
no

Location (general area)
Mt Baldy (Baldy Bowl)

Latitude
34.2801

Longitude
-117.6566

Date (yyyymmdd)
20210202

Time
1300

Road conditions to area
Melted snow, no ice.

Temperature
40

Sky
Obscured (fog or base layer prevents view of sky)

Wind speed
Light (1-16mph Flags/twigs in motion)

Wind direction
E

Wind direction in degrees

Slope aspect
South East

Aspect in degrees

Slope angle

Elevation

Snow depth

Boot/ Ski penetration

Precipitation
None

Activity, recent avalanches
yes

Brief description
Glide/wet avalanche observed on Baldy bowl.

Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
no

Rapid warming
no

Obvious avalanche path
yes

Terrain trap
yes

Comment
I observed a glide/wet avalanche from Mt Baldy Resort on the SE aspect of Baldy Bowl. The observation was at around 1300 as the cloud ceiling stayed low for the duration of the morning. I did not observe the avalanche occur, I only saw the aftermath. There was a tremendous amount of non snow debris including rocks and earth that traveled down the face of Baldy Bowl. I heard anecdotal evidence that rain had fallen on upper elevations on the day prior, 2/1/2021, which may have contributed to the instability. I only skied in bounds at Mt Baldy Resort on 2/2/2021 but I observed very wet and sticky snow at all elevations and while boot packing at a few locations punched through to my upper thigh.

Publish this observation
Yes I would like this observation Published

Marked up photograph of Baldy Bowl (does not contain image of avalanche)