Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking, Collapsing
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Avalanche Danger on Sunday should have been "high". Active wind loading, storm slabs due to inverted densities were the avalanche problems throughout the La Sal Range. </p>
Photo #1 of a small test slope above treeline skier triggered. Numerous test slopes were reactive to ski cuts.
Best visibility of the day yielded observations of an R2D2 (storm slab) in the Corner Pocket #1 (middle of frame).
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Active loading. 60 cm new snow in last 4 days to transport. Test slopes yielded positive results. Shooting cracks occurred above treeline. </p> <p>Snow from storm #12 (2/21) was much less dense (4%) than storm #13. Ongoing storm. Hst=25cm Storm #12, H(i)= 35 cm Storm #13. Near surface faceting from last week very slippery. It may take some time for this instability to heal. </p>
Incredible powder conditions below treeline. High precipitation intensities last night allowed snow to move on low angled slopes (really did not run) on west, south, north and east aspects. Shooting cracks in soft wind slabs above treeline. Test slopes yielded positive results on westerly and southerly aspects above treeline. Very tender snowpack. All slopes greater than 35 degrees on all aspects, especially south and west aspects should be suspect. The "slippery" skin tracks of Friday and Saturday are now the weak layer (old snow/new snow interface).