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Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

Public Observation

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 4, 2022
Submitted:
December 4, 2022
Zone or Region:
June Lake
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Chicken Winmg

Observations

Aware of the warning from Esavalanche we thought we could find some low angle terrain off the north side of Chicken Wing. We had skied there Friday and Earthquake Dome on Saturday and observed no instabilities. Today was different. There was repeated whumpfing heard along the skin track, and shooting cracks while breaking trails. The new snow was very heavy. We descended in mostly sub 30 degree terrain but stopped near a steeper convex slope and cracks propagated across. Nothing slid, however we were reluctant to ski down across it or venture into steeper terrain. We skinned out to traverse above the convex slope and descended in very mellow terrain. We observed no natural avalanches or human triggered avalanches.

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
Yes, Widespread
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
Yes, Widespread

Media

Shooting cracks on the descent
Other cracks while just standing on my skis.
Collapsing on the skin track
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