Barnes lake round 2

Observed Feb 18, 2025, 12:10 p.m. PST · South Rockies

This report was submitted with an older form.

Crown top rightHasty Crown wall profilePwl facetsCrown wallNatural dry loose activity Mt Ptolemy

Quick report

Comment
Came back for more cuz the snow was too good! Rode another N facing treeline feature with heavy sluffing but no concerns otherwise. Decided to step out into the alpine targeting a SE facing lower angle supported bowl feature, and ascended a low angle rib. As we approached the ridge line at 2250m we felt a significant whumph with all 3 of us standing on a loaded pillow. We used good travel tactics and identified start zones before continuing. The next kick turn held another significant whumph and triggered a size 1.5 persistent slab (see avalanche summary) that wrapped around to where our first skier was standing on a supported feature. No involvements. We decided to back off and return to treeline features for the rest of the day. Lots of natural dry loose activity in the past 48hrs Solar input was strong and created a 1cm crust on S facing treeline aspects.
Weather
Warm, Sunny
Ride type
Open trees, Steep slopes, Convex slopes, Alpine slopes, Mellow slopes, Dense trees, Sunny slopes, Cut blocks
Riding quality
Amazing
Snow conditions
Powder
Avalanche conditions
Avalanche condition slab, Avalanche condition sound

Avalanche report

Comment
Sz 1.5 Persistant slab, toed out at bottom of track, entrained enough mass from dry loose surface to surpass a large bench and carry over. Debris was 20m wide This ran in a reloaded spot where a distinct crown existed from a previous persistent slab avalanche, and proves this layer can be a repeat offender. A hasty crown wall profile revealed HS of 150, 85 cm of well bonded facets from ground with a 65cm slab resting over top. The slab consisted of 25cm of 1F density Sz 2 facets with 40cm of F density Sz 1 facets resting on top.
Run length
650
Slab width
30
Trigger type
Skier
Wind exposure
Lee slope
Avalanche size
1.5
Trigger sub type
Accidental
Start zone aspect
SE
Vegetation cover
Open slope
Start zone incline
32
Avalanche character
Persistent slab
Crust near weak layer
No
Number of avalanches
1
Start zone elevation
2300
Runout zone elevation
1900
Weak layer burial date
2025-01-31
Avalanche observation
12hrsAgo
Weak layer crystal type
Facets
Start zone elevation band
Alp
Avalanche occurrence datetime
2025-02-18T21:00:00.000Z