Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Had a half-dozen localized, low-energy collapses between 7600ft and 8000ft on polar terrain.</p> <p> Also noted at least a dozen wet loose D1 avalanches at mid/upper elevations from Willard to Island Peak on solar aspects, starting from any nearby rock.</p> <p> At mid elevations, new snow sat directly atop the January facets. Where the MF crust was present, it was friable and simply separated the new snow and FC. Below this was fairly stout 10-15cm holiday crust, and below that was facets as deep as my arm. Didn't investigate wind-loaded zones since we were more concerned with skiing than avalanche hunting.</p>
Snowpack
Currently not continuous skinning from the trailhead as the road is melting out. The death luge and trail just above the switchback may feature a bare patch or two by Sunday afternoon, in addition to the occasional rock we saw today.
Snow depth is low enough that it's more or less unskiable below 6500ft across the compass, and 6500-7k is not much more impressive. What snow is present at low elevation is quite solidly crusted on top (10-15cm), making a descent down the skin track an exciting prospect, to say the least.
In the mid elevations, a skiff of new is present starting around 7000ft, turning properly into rime forms by 7500ft. The underlying surface crust is breakable, a bit grabby, but quite skiable. We found fairly widespread and resilient ~5mm surface hoar from 7200ft up to our high point of 8300ft, which persisted into our departure at 1500, despite sun, light winds, and warm temps. Hopefully tomorrow's even warmer temps serve to address this.
Otherwise, 20-25cm of preserved new snow at mid elevations sat directly atop the January facets, making for good skiing for those venturing high enough to get above the melt-freeze crusts underlying the new snow below about 7500ft. Mid elevation HS was about 120cm, give or take.