Crusty surfaces make for low avalanche danger but tough travel conditions.
We have very little data and a lot of uncertainty around alpine conditions in this region. We suspect any dry snow at the highest elevations has been blown into wind slabs. There may be a number of crusts within this snow due to fluctuating freezing levels through the storm.
Friday night: Partly cloudy, light northwest ridgetop wind, freezing level 900 m.
Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud, light westerly ridgetop wind, freezing level 1500 m.
Sunday: Snow overnight, 10-20 cm, moderate to strong northwest ridgetop wind, freezing level 1000 m.
Monday: Mix of sun and cloud, moderate northerly ridgetop wind, freezing level 700 m.
No new avalanches reported on Friday. Glide cracks were observed to be opening up during the wet storm earlier in the week.
A thick block of icy rain crust may be bridging a weaker layer of dry, sugary faceted snow. Affecting this weak snow through the thick crust would be difficult and avalanches on it is unlikely but not impossible in unsupported terrain. Below, the snowpack is a multi tiered sandwich of crusts and moist snow and is well consolidated.
Watch North Shore Rescue's weekly snowpack conditions update here.
