Travel is generally safer in deeper more uniform snowpack areas. Triggering the persistent problem and stepping down to deeper layers is most likely in thin or variable depth snowpack areas and we are seeing this pattern on northern aspects between 2000-2600 m.
The Feb 3 crust/facet interface is down 50-100 cm. Recent avalanches on this layer have been primarily between 2000m and 2600m on northerly aspects in thin snowpack areas. These have all initiated on the crust and gouged down to ground/ basal facets in pockets.
No new avalanches observed or reported today.
In the last week, we have noticed a pattern of skiier triggered avalanches in the region. We have seen 4 size 2-3 avalanches in the past 6 days. These have all been remotely or accidentally triggered by skiiers and have all occurred on northerly aspects between 2000 -2600m in thin snowpack areas. These have all initiated on the Feb. 2nd crust/ facet interface and stepped down to ground in pockets.
A few cms of new snow covers suncrust on solar aspects and dry snow on polar aspects. Below this, the March 20th crust exists everywhere except north aspects above 1800 m and is helping reduce the sensitivity of the lower snowpack layers.
Our main concern is thin snowpack areas on northerly alpine aspects. This is where the mid-pack Feb 3 facets/crust layer and the basal facets/depth hoar remain weakest. Deeper snowpack areas have few concerns.
A small system is approaching the Rockies that should bring 10-20 cm of snow by Saturday AM. Expect 5-10 cm Thursday and again on Friday. Winds will generally be light from the SW with freezing levels staying below 1500m. A clearing trend starts Saturday AM.
Click here for more weather info.
