Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Though I didn't stop to dig a quick pit, it appears we are having a typical start of our season with a lot of days between storms, blowing winds, and varying temperatures. This new, low-density snow is sure to be blown around easily and create future problems with subsequent snowfall and the poor snowpack structure underneath.</p>
Happy to finally make it up to the mountains and see other people enjoying themselves. In terms of snow conditions up there, we need a lot more snow coverage to help cover the rocks and other hazards. However, we are likely to see increasing avalanche danger throughout the season if things continue the way they have been with varying temps, winds, snow, and lots of time between storms. Be careful out there.
Snowpack
The surface snow was very low density and easily blown around, as was evident on the ridges and peaks in the Gold Basin area. Peaks and ridges were wind scoured on what appeared to be most aspects, indicating that the winds have been shifting around the compass. In areas that were protected from the wind, I observed the all-too-familiar sparkle of surface hoar beginning to develop. A few ski pole tests revealed about 4-6" of very low-density snow sitting atop a strong crust. There is still very low coverage with rocks and grass obvious in many areas.