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Snowpack Summary January 20, 2022
Posted by Allen Giernet @ 6:48pm (this summary expires in 48 hours)
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
The Bottom Line –
Firm icy conditions will make for tough travel in the morning and on northern aspects. Use caution to prevent falls on slick crusts and icy surfaces. As the day warms and solar input moves through the aspects Wet Snow Instability will again become possible. Low avalanche danger at this time does not mean no avalanche danger.
If you venture out please submit your observations to the avalanche center Submit Reports page.
Posted by Allen Giernet @ 6:48pm (this summary expires in 48 hours)
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
The Bottom Line –
Firm icy conditions will make for tough travel in the morning and on northern aspects. Use caution to prevent falls on slick crusts and icy surfaces. As the day warms and solar input moves through the aspects Wet Snow Instability will again become possible. Low avalanche danger at this time does not mean no avalanche danger.
If you venture out please submit your observations to the avalanche center Submit Reports page.
Problem #1
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.
General Summary
Following several nights of cold overnight temperatures be prepared for the potential for long slides on firm icy surfaces in the morning and at higher elevations. There will be variable snow surface conditions that could change with aspect and time of day. Wet Snow Avalanches remains on our problem list today as temperatures warm through the day. The probability is low but will increase through the day. This problem if developing will present from the East and move through the day through SE-S-SW-W aspects. Watch for the signs of Wet snow instability, roller balls, pinwheels and boots sinking ankle deep into wet snow. Tomorrow strong to gusty winds will develop in the evening and continue into Saturday. This combined with cold temperature for Saturday morning will create firm and icy surfaces to start out Saturday. Be prepared for possible slide for life situations.
Exercise caution on slopes over 30°. Always exercise caution when entering into winter mountain areas. Bring a Beacon Shovel and Probe and know how to use them. Travel with a partner and make conservative decisions.
Following several nights of cold overnight temperatures be prepared for the potential for long slides on firm icy surfaces in the morning and at higher elevations. There will be variable snow surface conditions that could change with aspect and time of day. Wet Snow Avalanches remains on our problem list today as temperatures warm through the day. The probability is low but will increase through the day. This problem if developing will present from the East and move through the day through SE-S-SW-W aspects. Watch for the signs of Wet snow instability, roller balls, pinwheels and boots sinking ankle deep into wet snow. Tomorrow strong to gusty winds will develop in the evening and continue into Saturday. This combined with cold temperature for Saturday morning will create firm and icy surfaces to start out Saturday. Be prepared for possible slide for life situations.
Exercise caution on slopes over 30°. Always exercise caution when entering into winter mountain areas. Bring a Beacon Shovel and Probe and know how to use them. Travel with a partner and make conservative decisions.
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General Mountain Weather Forecast |
Click here for this Season's Snow Pack Summaries
To better understand the challenges and potential variability over the large area we are producing information for please read our Snowpack Summary - Format and Limitations
Disclaimer:
This Bulletin is designed to generally describe conditions where local variations always occur. Travelers are advised to exercise caution and make slope specific evaluations. As always, please treat this bulletin with appropriately guarded skepticism and make your own assessments. Help to provide more information to the community by reporting your observations
This Bulletin is designed to generally describe conditions where local variations always occur. Travelers are advised to exercise caution and make slope specific evaluations. As always, please treat this bulletin with appropriately guarded skepticism and make your own assessments. Help to provide more information to the community by reporting your observations
Click on the links below for the latest information
Latest Observtions
Click on the observation to go to the full report
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Observation type
Snowpack Location - Wanat Peak San Bernardino Mtns. Date (yyyymmdd) - 20220117 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. |
Observation type
Snowpack Location - Mt Baldy Bowl Date (yyyymmdd) - 20220117 Comment Baldy Bowl chutes were good in the morning due to heavy cloud cover. However, there were obvious wet slide avalanche tracks in the bowl. It rained for about 1to 2 hrs at 8000', soaking the snowpack. Later, it turned to snow. Soggy snow meant for postholing on the descent off the bowl. Very wet snow up there today in the afternoon. |
Observation type
Snowpack Location - Mt Baden Powell Date (yyyymmdd) - 20220114 Comment - Went to hike to the peak of Mt Baden Powell Via the main trail, and snow was found to be immediately very soft (hike started just before 6am). Sinking to knee depth ~15” frequently and up to the hip periodically. Snow firmness did not improve up to 7800’ and we turned around. Multiple signs of previous pinwheels (days prior) and recent slides. |
Observation type -
Snowpack Location - San G Big Draw Bowl Date (yyyymmdd) - 20220114 Comment - Generally solid conditions most of the day. The approach to Big Draw Bowl is rough in spots. Lots of post-holing from 8200'-10,000', especially on south-facing aspects. Big Draw bowl has a stable and consolidated snowpack. The chutes off of Jepson Peak and the NW/W chutes off San Gorgonio have breakoff points from likely wind-slap avalanches. Some rockfall in those chutes. Big Draw East Chute (10,500'-11,200') was solid and punchy until the last 100', when it turned firm and fast/slide for life. The route to the summit was doable in boots. Ice-Rink conditions on the San G-Jepson saddle were present, even crampons did not bite well. Big Draw Chute West (Main) was heavily corniced, and just above it. The main chute itself was firm and generally consolidated. Cornices were present on the tops of both chutes, but were much larger on Big Draw West (Main). Be prepared for the full gamut of snow conditions in the San Gorgonio Wilderness from ice to post-holing. |
General Caution
You should always use safe terrain management and carry avalanche rescue equipment in the backcountry. Most avalanches are triggered by someone in the party or the victim. Practice with your rescue gear often and be prepared should the worst happen. Though we do not have an avalanche forecast center in this area as of yet, the information posted and shared here as well as the resources available on this site will help to make informed decisions for your backcountry travels. Use avalanche forecasts in your travels wherever available and be aware that avalanche ratings are general information. Elevation, location, geographic variability’s, slope aspect and angle all have effects on the particular area you travel in. This is only one piece of the information you should use in your decision making process. There is no substitute for avalanche education, for more resources and information as well as education please refer to our resources page.
You should always use safe terrain management and carry avalanche rescue equipment in the backcountry. Most avalanches are triggered by someone in the party or the victim. Practice with your rescue gear often and be prepared should the worst happen. Though we do not have an avalanche forecast center in this area as of yet, the information posted and shared here as well as the resources available on this site will help to make informed decisions for your backcountry travels. Use avalanche forecasts in your travels wherever available and be aware that avalanche ratings are general information. Elevation, location, geographic variability’s, slope aspect and angle all have effects on the particular area you travel in. This is only one piece of the information you should use in your decision making process. There is no substitute for avalanche education, for more resources and information as well as education please refer to our resources page.
