Observation type
Snowpack

Observer
Alex Reed / Colin Sander

Keep me anonymous if published
no

Location (general area)
Mt Baldy (Mt San Antonio) N Face

Latitude

Longitude

Date (yyyymmdd)
3/9/2023

Time
5am-4pm

Road conditions to area
dry

Temperature
high 20's

Sky
few clouds (up to 2/8)

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

Wind direction
not observed

Wind direction in degrees

Slope aspect
North West

Aspect in degrees

Slope angle

Elevation
toured to max elevation of 10,102'

Snow depth

Boot/ Ski penetration

Precipitation
None

Activity, recent avalanches
yes

Brief description
Multiple R1-R2 D1-D2 avalanche crowns observed in extreme terrain above treeline on NE aspects. 

Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
no

Rapid warming
no

Obvious avalanche path
no

Terrain trap
no

Comment
We left Manker Flat area at 5:15am and reached the top of Mt. San Antonio (Baldy) at about 10:30am.

We ascended mostly via crampons as the snow was still a bit too iced for skinning. 

No recent avalanches were observed on the S face of "Baldy Bowl" during our ascent on S face. No cracking, woomfing, or hollowness was observed during our ascent on S face.

At the top of Mt. San Antonio, we observed moderate to strong winds. Although no snow was being actively transported during our observation, we witnessed heavily wind affected snow at the top of the ridge and peak. Some wind loading was observed on some aspects at the peak elevation, but our main concern was ice. Blue ice was observed on the ridge around the peak.

Some avalanche activity was observed on distant extreme terrain on NE aspects off Telegraph and Ontario Peak.

We descended down the NW face of Mt. San Antonio. We avoided the wind loaded leeward slopes, opting instead for barely edgeable ice crust for the first 100 feet or so. This ice eventually yielded to soft wind effected snow. 

We eventually came to the crux 3/4 of the way down and opted to down climb with crampons and axes. 

We did observe one small area R1? of snapped trees (but no other debries, indicating an older avalanche) on an E facing aspect below treeline. 

After completing descent, we climbed up the R ridge, gaining the col between San Antonio and Harwood and skied down the S face of San Antonio. No wet slide activity was observed on our descent down the S face.

These observations occurred before a rain/snow event on March 10th and 11th. 

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Looking down Mt. San Antonio N face, photo @colin_films

Mt. San Antonio N face, photo by @colin_films