Quick report
- Cracking
- widespread
- Collapsing
- widespread
Storm snow is not bonding well to the old snow surface. This caused widespread cracking and collapsing and a small triggered avalanche. Avalanches will be larger and easier to trigger in obviously wind-affected areas but are also a concern in more sheltered areas with a deceivingly soft slab.
Widespread cracking and collapsing occurred in 40 cm slabs atop (1/6). Collapses were larger and more frequent as I climbed into wind-affected terrain.Weather
- Cloud Cover
- broken
- Wind Loading
- moderate
- Recent Snowfall
- Since (1/6): 22 cm at highway, ~40 cm at 8,000'
- Snow Avail For Transport
- large amounts
Intermittent, light snowfall and gusty W wind. Wind speeds were noticeably stronger at upper elevations. Short breaks of sun between squalls became more frequent later in the afternoon.
Avalanche
I observed a half dozen small storm slabs on steep N-facing slopes across from the mouth of Apollo. These appeared to go on a mid-storm interface. I observed some small natural wind slabs near the head of Lost Shirt and remote-triggered a similar pocket. The triggered slide failed on facets at (1/6) and gouged into an unconsolidated snowpack as it ran.