Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Wind Loading
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Widespread shallow Loose Dry Avalanche Cycle that appeared to occur during the high PI between 0600 and 0800. This appeared to create a shallow density inversion in the new snow. The gusty WNW Winds were building soft Wind Slabs up to 45cm deep (4 finger minus)</p>
Unfortunately poor visibility and flat light limited the possibility to display the Loose Dry avalanches in the Pioneer Bowl area. Picture represents the gusty winds and Transport, and this was well down off the ridgelines in a somewhat protected north facing area at 9200'
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>There most likely was a Moderate Danger for Isolated Wind Slabs as described above, and the forecast appears to indicate these winds will be ramping up in the evening hours. </p> <p>See above for Loose Dry issues, and any continual periods of PI and Wind may allow this problem to increase danger wise. </p>
Extremely slick rain crust everywhere up to 10300 at the top of todays travel. Crust ranged from 1 to at least 5cm thick even on the upper elevations. Slide for Life potential. Difficult skinning on anything steeper than 20 degrees and almost impossible 25 degrees and greater. Recommend Whippets, ski crampons or just boot hiking to gain steeper ridgelines. The old timers used to wrap ropes around their skis to ascend, and todays travelers could use multiple/numerous voile straps to offer the same kind of grip.
Great riding on Low angle slopes. Very "skittery" on even moderate angled slopes (25 to 30 degrees). Southerly facing slopes in the Upper elevations appeared to have a much thicker and uneven rain crust depth and texture.