Observation type
Snowpack

Observer
Nicholas Moede

Keep me anonymous if published
no

Location (general area)
San Bernardino Mountains, Alto Diablo

Latitude

Longitude

Date (yyyymmdd)
20230215

Time
10:00am

Road conditions to area
Clear

Temperature
20

Sky
clear (no clouds)

Wind speed
Moderate (17-25mph Small trees sway/ flags stretched)

Wind direction
not observed

Wind direction in degrees

Slope aspect
North

Aspect in degrees
0

Slope angle
28

Elevation
8000

Snow depth
30"

Boot/ Ski penetration

Precipitation
None

Brief description

Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
yes

Comment
On February 15, 2023 I skinned up the north side of Alto Diablo on my skis. I observed shooting cracks and whumps on two slopes. On one of the slopes the crack propagated about 10 feet above me and 20 to 30 feet across the slope. If this had been on a steeper slope I believe it would have released a significant slab approximately 8 - 10" deep. This appears to be an old layer that is collapsing underneath the surface crust. This was only observed at lower elevations. Use caution moving through avalanche terrain at lower north facing elevations, especially on slopes exceeding 35 degrees. Additionally there were many areas of wind loaded snow at all elevations and a lot of snow could be seen blowing off the ridges above 10,000 feet. Even though the recent storm only brought about 1 - 2" of new snow to the area, the potential for windslabs around ridge lines is currently high. Avoid slopes above 30 degrees where wind loaded snow could accumulate especially near ridge lines.

Publish this observation
Yes I would like this observation Published

shootingcrack

windloading