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Professional Observation

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 5, 2022
Submitted:
January 6, 2022
Observer:
TAC - Andy Bond
Zone or Region:
Taos Area
Location:
Bull of Woods ridgeline towards Wheeler peak

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Media

Snow has been settling over the last week since the last snowfall on 1/1
Pit dug below treeline on a north aspect above a natural slide that happened last week. 110cm snowpack with decomposing and faceting slab from the holiday weeks storm with basal facets on the ground. ECTP 17
Surface hoar and near surface faceting made for nice skiing, but with no snow in the forecast for at least a week, it won't become an issue unless it buried
NE aspect on the leeward side of ridgeline. 140cm snowpack with denser slabs (1F) compared to below treeline terrain. Depth hoar near the ground is starting to strengthen ECTP 27
NE facing slopes with old crown and debris down in the flats
Moderate to strong winds have stripped west facing slopes and left stiff slabs on the surface. Was not finding these shallow wind slabs to be reactive

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear
Temperature:
10 - 25
Wind:
Moderate , W

Ridgeline wind speeds were in the 30's gusting to 50 mph. Most west aspects have been stripped back to bare ground. Big difference between below treeline and above for temps, with temps above 11,500 in the teens and below treeline in the approaching 30.

Snowpack Observations

The snowpack is quickly settling since the last snowfall on New Years Day. Solar aspects at lower elevations are starting to form crusts from warm temps and sun. North and wind-sheltered slopes had near-surface facets and surface hoar (Only a problem if it gets buried, but made for some nice skiing). Overall these lower elevation snowpacks are decomposing and faceting. With another week of high pressure expect this trend to continue.

Near and Above treeline moderate to strong winds have stripped windward (west slopes) and created stiff supportable to breakable windboard and sastrugi on the leeward sides of ridgelines and cross-loaded terrain. Was not finding these shallow slabs to be reactive on ski cuts.

Was getting moderate to hard force in extended column tests on facet layer near the ground.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Persistent Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 The persistent slab problem with basal facets and depth hoar is stubborn right now and most likely would take a big trigger, or hitting a sweet spot with the right slab/weak layer combination to create an avalanche.

Terrain Use

Good skiing on wind-sheltered slopes

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