Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>We caused at least three collapses in the snowpack on our skin up today on S-SW aspects.</p>
HS 73
ECTP 4, 51cm from the ground. Just above this failure was a 5cm thick wind crust, which had the recent snow on top of it. I was surprised by this failure, I was focused on the December rain crust and facet chains beneath it. But the smaller grain facets with a wind slab and recent loads looked like the biggest culprit at our aspect and elevation.
I haven't been in the range this season aside from today, this sensitivity seems a bit isolated, but would nudge into considerable danger rating if it were more widespread.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Snow surface that we traveled on hadn't been too affected yet. This area was pretty sheltered from winds overnight but with more wind blowing and transporting snow I'd expect the snow surface is becoming affected in areas like this.</p> <p>Facets and crusts. The bridge the rain crust is providing is interesting. Makes for a seemingly less rotten snowpack for this time of year compared to normal, but maybe just more stubborn and tricky as time moves on.</p>
Snow surface and skinning was great. We did feel the crust beneath the new snow when making turns downhill more than anticipated. Fun skiing nonetheless. Three cheers for supportable! Hip hip hooray!