Quick report
While results were stubborn this afternoon, increased loading was observed while in Tuckerman Ravine. The ravine had not yet hit peak instability and with additional loading weight on a snowpack with strong over weak layers there is the potential for natural avalanches. Steeper slopes at higher elevations were not observed. Surface snow was observed to be stable. Occasional cracking was observed between skis while skinning. Cracks were minor and not widespread. No collapsing, or propagation occurred during travel with skis on, or off.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 25
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- moderate
- Rain Elevation
- N/A
- Recent Snowfall
- 13cm
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
Snow continued to fall throughout the day today with graupel mixed in. Western winds today transitioning to northwestern winds tonight will continue to move snow available for transport into sheltered areas building on slabs that could already be well over 2 feet on eastern and southeastern aspects. Summit wind speeds were topping out at 70 mph with gusts up to 98 mph. Summit wind speed will settle to around 17 mph tonight and pick back up into the 30s by tomorrow afternoon and throughout the evening. Consistent winds help stabilize the snow pack, but with wind speeds slowing down tonight, the rate at which the new snow stabilizes could take longer.
Snowpack
Snowpack Summary: (Snowpack tests/location/relevancy/results, layer extent, penetration, etc. You can submit images of your pit or profile in the photos section) Strong winds and active loading made for challenging conditions while observing snowpack. Due to obscured visibility did not go into higher elevations. Dug a pit on southerly aspect at ~4610’. Areas unprotected from the wind were completely scoured. Areas sheltered from the wind had drifted snow which consistently measured from 6 inches to a foot. Performed an ETC on southerly aspect at ~4610 which resulted in ECTN23 10 cm down. Within the wind drifted snow the top layer was 10cm of 1F hardness on top of 10 cm of 4F hardness on top of a thick melt-freeze crust. A thin layer of graupel was observed between the 1F 4F interface of drifted snow. Graupel was also found on the snow surface. The snowpack was showing upside down qualities. Various informal hand shears on similar aspects at slightly higher elevations showed the top 10 cm of snow to be consistently 1F whereas the 4F below was variable depths. Hand shear results were moderate to stubborn and most reactive within the interface between 1F and 4F snow hardness.