Observation type
Snowpack
Observer
Allen Giernet aka The Winter Warlock
Keep me anonymous if published
no
Location (general area)
Mt Baldy West Bowl San Gabriel Mtns.
Latitude
34.27761
Longitude
-117.65724
Date (yyyymmdd)
20170311
Time
1320
Road conditions to area
clear and dry
Temperature
8°C/ 46.4F
Sky
clear (no clouds)
Wind speed
Calm (smoke rises vertically)
Wind direction
not observed
Slope aspect
South East
Aspect in degrees
126°
Slope angle
20°
Elevation
2,882m/ 9,456' 
Snow depth
66cm/ 26" 
Boot/ Ski penetration
7cm/ 2.75" 
Precipitation
None
Activity, recent avalanches
yes
Brief description
Observed debris from a loose wet avalanche possibly two start zones approximately 24 to 48 hours old in Baldy Bowl on the way to our location
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
yes
Rapid warming
yes
Obvious avalanche path
yes
Terrain trap
yes
Comment
Isolated collapses around 8500' @ 2:39 pm sections would drop but not move or release. Possibly collapsing on buried manzanita or loose grains on an ice layer below
 
Solid freeze overnight on snow surface on hike in to hut Friday night @ 11:00pm
 
Firm snow in morning softening by 10:00am some of it only in the upper few centimeters on some aspects southerly aspects softened more quickly. North aspects did not soften much until later afternoon.
Crust developing in shades on N aspect at 4:00pm
Solid refreeze of snow overnight Saturday night.
Firm and icy snow patches on trail @ 8am some softening in sun exposed areas.

Publish this observation
Yes I would like this observation Published

Wet slide in the bowl 1 to 2 days old

Pit Mt. Baldy Wedt Bowl 3-11-17

Looking at west bowl from the ridge