Upper Bowl/Agassiz Ridgeline/ Saddle/Sundance
Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
- Collapsing
- specific
On Northern aspects, instability tests reflected poor-moderate structure, moderate strength and moderate to high propagation propensity. On Southern aspects, instability tests reflected poor-mod structure, moderate strength, low propagation propensity. Cracking was localized on both wind loaded and low density (wind stiffened surfaces). Two instances of collpasing were experienced, both NW aspects, (11,700-11,850') off skin track and when entering from deeper talus (100cm+) to shallower trees 30-40cm).
Weather
- Air Temp
- 18F
- Cloud Cover
- obscured
- Wind Loading
- previous
- Rain Elevation
- 6,500'
- Recent Snowfall
- 33cm
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
Few from 0900-10:30 trending to overcast and obscured above 10,300'. Light S-SE winds with gusts up to 10mph on high ridgelines. -8*C Morning presented with NO precip, trending to S-1 by 12pm above treeline. Rime present and developing in size and strength on signs, rocks, and trees above 11,500'
Snowpack
Snow Surface: F-hard 10-25 cm of fresh, low density snow on Northern aspects above a 4F to 1F-Hard supportable wind stiffened layer. Micro ridgelines that have been stripped of low density soft surfaces present with 4F, styrofoam-esque supportable surface. The primary change in snowpack conditions on northern aspects is pointing towards reactivity of recent storm snow that has been loaded into a wind slab. Specific terrain ( NE-N-NW), may harbor these cohesive slabs in the upper 10-25cm of the snowpack, capable of knocking one off balance and potentially, injure, harm or kill a backcoutnry user. Height of snow (HS) is variable ranging from 40-280 cm in this specific micro-drainage, with shallow aspects (20-30cm) only a few yards away with exposed talus. Surface conditions are soft and gentle where wind effect has not played a role during the recent storm. Stiff conditions are present where low density snow has already been scoured, stripped or previously present with shallow depths. Ski Conditions: Ski conditions are variable, but the recent accumulation has laid a carpet of smooth turns and potential unpredictability. Low density snow may provide pleasant turns, but can hide hazards beneath. Rock, talus and plants are sticking through the surface in many aspects. In general, the snowpack, in micro draianges in this specific terrain, may harbor PWLs that could be triggered in a shallow aspect and propagate deeper. Though consequences are relatively high, the snowpack may still be acting stubborn to unreactive across the board, prior to this storm.