Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Rapid Warming
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>The only Red Flag observed in areas traveled was Loose Dry and confined to only the upper 2 to 4 inches of the latest round of light density snow. Exited backcountry by 1200, and at that point the snow surface had not gotten damp on any aspects due to the cloud cover and early morning cold temperatures. After exiting there were extended periods of FEW sky cover with temperatures warming significantly. As a result, it was likely that there was Greenhousing going on in various areas. Human triggered avalanche reports from the backcountry continue to filter in every day. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>See above regarding Loose Dry. Still able to isolate Easy to Moderate Shears on shady aspects down 8 to 12 inches on clean shear planes, yet no slab issues observed. </p> <p>See above for the likelihood of this problem being an issue later in the day after exiting. Any sustained periods of solar (combined with rising temperatures) will increase the trend for this danger in the future. </p> <p> </p> <p>Despite no activity observed in areas traveled, Moderate appears to be the correct Danger Rating due to the continual reports of Human Triggeed avalanches in the past 72 hours. </p>
East aspects appeared to survive during the past 48 hours of intermittent solar above 9500 feet due to the early morning cold temps and cloud cover. W, S, and SE aspects had various thicknesses of m/f crusts. NW, N, and NE aspects continued to have incredibly good riding for late March, and this recent storm system may have offered the best riding of the year.
As usual for this late in the season, altitude plays a huge part in offering the best cold snow opportunities; and below 8500 feet the snow quality changes drastically.