Quick report
- Collapsing
- isolated
Travelled between 5,800 and 7,600 feet. Observed no recent avalanche activity. Multiple quick pits on the way up showed a variety of PWL's. Poor snowpack structure existed in area's we dug, but did not produce propagating results. We travelled cautiously through terrain and avoided slopes where there was potential for slab avalanche activity. Low visibilty kept us from examining other basins/slopes but I would not be suprised to have seen a natural avalanche in wind loaded terrain. As we travelled in areas where the snow was more wind effected, we could feel the weak layers collapsing below our feet. We didn't get large settlements or cracking but the poor snowpack structure was apparent.
Weather
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- light
- Recent Snowfall
- 5-8 cm
- Snow Avail For Transport
- large amounts
Temps below freezing at Hwy 12, with steady snowfall throughout the day. Accumulation was roughly 0.5" inches per hour, and around 3 inches during our excursion. Winds swirled throughout our travel time, and we were sheltered from gusts. Observed minimal wind transport.
Snowpack
4-6 inches of fist hardness new snow over the Valentine's day SH, 12 in of 4 finger hardness snow overlaying the 1/28 SH (18 in down). 6 inches below the 1/28 SH, the Jan drought F/C.