Tamarack Peak

We toured up the East Ridge of Tamarack Peak. We proceeded along the ridgetop above The Proletariat, Hourglass Bowl, and Broken Glass Bowl. We did not see any sign of recent slab avalanches in any of these four areas of avalanche terrain. Significant storm snow settlement has occurred following the over 2 inches of rain that fell in this area. We dug a snowpit on a NNW aspect slope at 8,920'. At this location the Feb 10 layer was only 2.5 feet below the snow surface. Snow crystal changes, capillary boundaries, and vertical percolation zones indicated that rainwater had moved down to and through the Feb 10 layer at this location. Snowpit test results from the PST indicated that propagation along the Feb 10 layer remains likely if the weak layer collapses.

Cornices in this area remain weak and are breaking away from the ridgetop in some areas. A few areas of rollerballs and pinwheels were observed on northerly aspects.

Rainwater percolation down through the Feb 10 layer which is now moist, rounded polycrystals and rounding facets. The overlying slab and Feb 10 weak layer remain conducive to propagation if the Feb 10 layer is collapsed.