Quick report
- Aspect
- North
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Rapid Warming
- Elevation
- 2377 m
- Slope Angle
- 23°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Recent loose snow avalanches from maybe yesterday were observed on west facing slopes and possibly a larger slide on the Porter Rock slabs, although visibility was limited. At lower elevations, the snow was quite wet and warm.</p>
This pit was in a similar location to one from December 23rd. Facets are still there with slightly improved hardness. The mid pack is now much thicker and stronger - in December there wasn't much snow above the facets. Your pole would easily push through to them.
Note: Danger rating below reflects where I traveled - below about 8000 feet and not on windy ridges. I'm sure things would be more touchy in those locations.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Dense snow and high winds were creating some new wind slabs that were visually obvious. It seemed like these were distributed inconsistently, probably reflecting the erratic winds in this location. On one small windloaded roll, no significant cracking was noted.</p> <p>As noted in other observations, two density changes could be observed in the upper part of the snow pack. One of these produced easy shears 10 cms down.</p>
Recent warm temps left a made for a mix of relatively poor surface conditions. At higher elevations, the crust was annoying but skiable. At lower elevations, the snow was very wet and thin.