Observation: Big Springs

This was my first trip into Big Springs this season. Granted the snow cover is overall low for this time of the season, but the pack in general was actually in better shape than I would've guessed. Keep in mind my expectations are quite low. I've been spending time in very shallow snowpack locations, generally in the 2 foot range. The pack is very loose and my boots basically plunge to the ground when I step off my skis or snowmachine. Not quite the case in the areas of Big Springs that I traveled where the pack is closer to 3 feet deep and I was actually able to stand on the pack in my boots without dropping through to the ground. The old faceted snow was approaching 1 finger hand hardness in places I looked which I thought would represent the average. Obviously, things aren't great and there are certainly many shallow areas with very weak snow. Many south facing slopes are bare and lots of the west facing is un-skiable due to lack of snow.

Looking down the road when we eventually add more snow, I suspect things won't be as sensitive right away as they were the last avalanche cycle which was January 9th down here. It will take more than an inch of water weight to get things going.

Danger rating assumes you are not getting into 40 degree upper elevation radical NE facing terrain where I am still wary of wind slabs.

Conditions vary greatly with any subtle change in aspect, slope angle and elevation.  The things I noted were the surface has become quite loose but there are widespread areas of wind crusts or wind slabs that break up the continuity of the faceted snow in the upper bowls.