Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Not a lot of new snow yet to tip the balance, but the winds are making up for the lack of snow. I encountered brisk north and northwest winds that were moving snow onto the south and south/east aspects. The south slopes were receiving the most wind drifting while I was out, but the north facing terrain still had somewhat sensitive soft slab conditions. Some of these soft slabs were up to a foot deep, but not breaking very wide.</p>
Sensitive soft slabs up to a foot deep were easily triggered from the ridgeline on north facing slopes. These were not running very far.
The brisk north and north/west winds were drifting the new snow onto the south and south/east aspects throughout the day.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>The main concern would likely be the buried weak faceted snow from earlier this month and the new snow and wind is starting to slowly stack the weight on. I did not observe any natural activity or collapsing of the snow in my travels, but the steady winds should elevate the hazard.</p>
Around 8" of new snow since Monday in the Gold Hill Basin. Traveled around on the south aspects to gain the ridge overlooking the north facing terrain. A very stout and supportable melt/freeze crust on the south slopes with several inches of new snow. North facing terrain in sheltered areas has nice riding and turning.