Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>See above for wind loading explaination; and it was likely that slabs were developing on the NE and E upper elevation starting zones. Poor snowpack structure observed in multiple pit locations in near by vacinities; and the basal facets that have been of concern throughout the range appear to be in place in this locale as well. Of note, wet loose activity on the upper elevation southerly facing aspects was held to a minimun today with the cloud cover coming in by mid day. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>No red flags observed besides the wind loading, but as described above, the structure is suspect, and confidence remains low for safely attacking steep shady aspects</p> <p>See above, and it appears that these westerly and southwesterly winds are not abating at 2100 hours. As a result, this hazard may continue to increase tonight and into Wednesday in the previously cited upper elevation terrain. </p> <p>Danger continues to be a low probability/high consequence Moderate in the persistent slab regions, NW, N, NE, and E. </p>
The snow surface conditions continue to degrade and become more variable every day. And as a result the riding conditions become more challenging. Dense settled powder was able to be found in isolated places, but runs of consistent friendly turning conditions were difficult to find in the upper and mid elevation exposed terrain of Mary Ellen. Of note, the conditions appeared to be improving as they began to soften around 1100 hours, but once the cloud cover moved in things changed for the worse as the snow surface began to refreeze.