Observation type
Snowpack

Observer
Nicholas Moede

Keep me anonymous if published
no

Location (general area)
San Bernardino Mountains, Wanat Peak North Face

Latitude
34.07000

Longitude
-116.87688

Date (yyyymmdd)
20220117

Time
14:30

Road conditions to area
Road to Vivian Creek Trailhead clear

Temperature
40

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

Wind speed
Calm (smoke rises vertically)

Wind direction
not observed

Wind direction in degrees

Slope aspect
North

Aspect in degrees
11

Slope angle
34

Elevation
7,500

Snow depth
112 cm

Boot/ Ski penetration
30cm

Precipitation
Medium 

Activity, recent avalanches
yes

Brief description
Observed wet loose avalanche D1, potentially D2 with 300 foot path on north aspect

Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
no

Rapid warming
yes

Obvious avalanche path
yes

Terrain trap
no

Comment
Rain significantly affecting top 25cm of snowpack with wet and heavy snow with fist hardness quickly compacting. Top 25cm layer failed at shovel test and at CT 23. Hardness rapidly increases through the rest of the snowpack with finger and pen hardness observed from 75 cm to 10cm. 10cm layer closest to ground consists of loose and granular snow. 

Recent small wet loose avalanche observed at approximately 7,200 feet on same north aspect on 35% slope with 300 foot path. May have been triggered by rain and or warming.

Additionally 2 smaller glide avalanches with 30 foot glide paths observed at 7,000 feet triggered by boulders releasing on northwest aspect of main gully from Wanat. 

Publish this observation
Yes I would like this observation Published

Avalanche

Snow Pit