5+ Feet Of Snow and Big Avalanches: Squaw Photo And Video Conditions Update

Eric Bryant | | Post Tag for Conditions ReportConditions Report

We were all wondering if the reports from Squaw could be true, with rampant rumors of 5+ feet of snow for the upper mountain after this past storm.  After closing on Sunday due to heavy rainfall, the doubts were even greater but today we were able to get into the upper mountain and we certainly received every bit of the 5+ feet.  Shirley Chutes were almost buried, no more bushes sticking out, and huge slide paths were everywhere.

Garbage Chute area looking as fat as it ever has
Garbage Chute area looking as fat as it ever has and a large slide out of North Bowl

The most remarkable part of getting up to the upper mountain was the startling number of slides, both natural and Patrol triggered.  North Bowl, all of Siberia Ridge, under the Palisades, the Funnel, West Face…nearly every steep aspect ripped out, many of the slides ripping to the ground.  If you are thinking about heading into the backcountry, be sure to be heads up and exercise safe travel techniques…things are going to remain variable out there for the next few days.

Huge slide path out of the Funnel and into Shirley Bowl
Huge slide path out of the Funnel and into Shirley Bowl. Photo: Bruce Hara

This storm served as the perfect base builder (minus all the slides and the fact that it is mid February).  The wet pasty snow has covered all the rocks up top, and with the amount of moisture in the snow, it won’t be disappearing any time soon.  Squaw has Siberia and Solitude (for the first time of the season) on the schedule for tomorrow, so the fun is looking to continue. 

Super Photo Tour of Squaw after 5+ Feet:

Eagles Nest (now McConkey's) was looking prime today.  KT soon to come???
Eagles Nest (now McConkey’s) was looking prime today. KT soon to come???
Yeah, there was just a bit of snow out there...
Yeah, there was just a bit of snow out there…
Aesthetic clouds and aesthetic turns to be had today at Squaw
Aesthetic clouds and aesthetic turns to be had today at Squaw
Nearly the entire ridge of Siberia slid
Nearly the entire ridge of Siberia slid
Slide debris under North Bowl...nearly 4 stories tall in places
Slide debris under North Bowl…nearly 4 stories tall in places
While the top was skiing well, Red Dog still had a lake in the loading zone
While the top was skiing well, Red Dog still had a lake in the loading zone
Trenches to drain all the water from the lower mountain at squaw valley
Trenches to drain all the water from the lower mountain
Shirley Chutes were almost gone today, and ripe for the taking
Shirley Chutes were almost gone today, and ripe for the taking
Cornice II Bowl
Cornice II Bowl
Adrenaline Rock area
Adrenaline Rock area
All of West Face and Chute 75 also fell victim to avalanches
All of West Face and Chute 75 also fell victim to avalanches
The slide debris covering the high road of Mountain Run
The slide debris covering the high road of Mountain Run
Tram Face drifting in and out of the mist this morning
Tram Face drifting in and out of the mist this morning
The avy debris of Siberia ridge with the Palisades in the background
The avy debris of Siberia ridge with the Palisades in the background
Venturing out under Siberia
Venturing out under Siberia
Riding up the Red Dog chair, with some lightly frost trees at 7000'
Riding up the Red Dog chair, with some lightly frost trees at 7000′

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