Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
The winds finally died (calm) on this overcast morning's tour to 8200' with a trace of precip, but at least it was cold (<10F). Following a week of multidirectional-localized winds at mid-elevation the fresh layer of ~3-4" of new snow was turnable though spatially variable depending on wind damage. Low tide conditions exist across the terrain below~8k'. Remnants of small cornice drops at mid elevations were noted though none appeared to step down. Up higher cornices appeared in various phases of evolution, but no natural avalanches were noted. The cracking and collapsing witnessed by Drew H a few days ago were not experienced today-- though snow structure still has a few lemons in it. Stability testing up to 8200' exposed fracture initiation at the weak layer 15cm from ground, but propogation was not witnessed. Up higher it could be a very different story.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>At 8200' on a north aspect, the HS = 75-80cm with the bottom ~15cm housing the PWL. New (8-10cm) snow (F) and pre-existing slab (4F-1F) made up top 60-65cm. Within the PWL lies a ~3-4cm crust with faceted snow found both above (when crust is to ground) and below. Stability testing = CT12 (15cm) and ECTN22 </p> <p>With calm winds today snow was not transporting. The last week of winds moving and morphing snow was impressive. </p>