Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Also recent wind loading, though not occuring at the moment. Flipping your ski poe upside down and pushing it handle first into the snow was an easy way to feel some of the snowpack layers, especially the weak facets near the ground. Easy to do 40 quick tests this way.</p>
Some perspective photos of yesterday's Patsy Marley slide. I have to ask my self "how many times have I skinned or skied across that exact spot?" and the snow was stable, and the turns good. But seeing slopes after they've slid is such a good reminder that the snow isn't always stable, and they are certainly avalanche terrain. For crown profile info, check out Greg Gagne's observation from yesterday HERE.
Old slides are filling in fast - it was already hard to discern the Twin Lakes slides from just last Sunday, just 5 days ago. Could be ready to repeat.
There are SO many slopes that haven't slid yet this season, or at least haven't repeated since the slide cycle on November 15th. I think many could be triggered by a person.
Bottom line - all those steep northwest through north through easterly facing slopes are still totally suspect and should be avoided, especially at the upper elevations. Unless they've recently slid - meaning down to the dirt and rocks. Those that have filled back in, could slide again.
Instead of a settlement cone, it's a bagel on a bush. Happy Thanksgiving!
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Persistent weak layer with a slab on top. </p>
Not a lot of powder left - upper elevation, northerly facing slopes had a wind sculpted, dense surface snow. Sunny slopes were mostly supportable frozen crusts that weren't softening today due to no sun. Low angle, wind sheltered slopes had the softest surface snow.