Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Wind Loading, Cracking, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Collapsing noted in the meadow just above the steep climb out of the parking lot. More isolated c/c noted along our travels in Butler Basin. Only avalanche noted was a small natural wind slab lee of the upper elevation ridgeline. </p>
New snow in the coming winter storm, especially going into Monday, will only stress out the snowpack more. Simply put, the PWL problem is going to get worse before it gets better.
Sticking with Considerable danger rating tomorrow verging into High as the storm ratchets up later in the day.
The best bet right now is to play the long game, dial it back, and stick to low-angle terrain. This is not the time to be stepping out, and there's nothing wrong with meadow skipping.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>ECTP 21, 7 on NNE aspect at 8700. Failed 47cm down, on facets from the Nov. dry spell. The variable results of our ECTs echo the cautionary advice in recent avalanches advisories: The snowpack is dangerously touchy and avalanches could be triggered on the 7th run down a given slope, the 14th or the 21st.</p> <p>South winds gusting to gale force out on the high elevation ridgelines ahead of the coming storm. Nearly ripped Drew's phone out of his hand while he was taking a video of the intense blowing snow!</p>