Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Experienced two very minor collapses on east facing aspects today; likely collapsing facets associated with a buried crust 35-40cm down.</p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Thursday was significantly more sensitive in the new snow; tensile cracks were everywhere on all aspects failing on low density stellars. See photo. Naturals up to 8" deep noted on this same layering in steep terrain. Could not get any cracking or movement on this layering today; ECTNs..although - the wild card - the precipitatoin intensity really picked up as I was leaving late afternoon.</p> <ul> <li>On many aspects, facets and surface hoar was buried by the Valentine's Day storm. </li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>On northerly aspects,</strong> this layering was easily found but yielded limited results with tests or on test slopes. No cracking/collapsing noted on this layering. I would think, however, that enough wind and more snow would potentially reactivate this layering. </p> <p><strong>On easterly aspects,</strong> I did experience some collapsing on primarily facets and small diameter surface hoar associated with a 2cm mf crust buried 35-40cm down. ECTP20s (and one ECTN27) on this layering owing, in my view, to a more pronounced <em>structure. </em> Still, I did not see any new slides on this aspect in my travels. </p> <ul> <li>I do think this layering will settle out in a few days but may remain active with stress - wind/precipitation. Remotes remain possible.</li> </ul> <p>Photo of quick ECT and layering and of surface hoar feather intermixed with near surface facets.</p>
Excellent riding conditions.