Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Increasing west winds today were finding plenty of snow to blow around and form fresh wind slabs that were reactive to the weight of a person.</p>
This small sled triggered slide on an east aspect likely occurred this weekend and may fit the trend where a person can still trigger a slide from low or mid-slope.
Shallow fresh wind slabs were forming today and these would easily crack around your sled in wind exposed areas. These were very manageable in safe low angle terrain, but would not want to expose myself on steeper slopes.
The winds were starting to spoil the powder party getting into some of the lower terrain and filling in recent tracks.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>The winds were in the moderate category along the ridge lines, but a few gusts were strong enough to boss me around while out for a walk. Plenty of cracking with these fresh wind slabs, many were still shallow, but with the steady winds today there is easily some deeper and less manageable slabs.</p> <p>Winds and an approaching storm might be enough to wake up the persistent weak sugary snow that is buried two to three feet deep now. Could easily see some mid-slope wind slabs develop with the steady winds forecasted. </p>
Nice powder snow conditions with the coverage getting better, wind damaged snow on the high exposed ridge lines and generally great riding and turning. The weekend storm was good to the north slope with upwards of 18" and riders are enjoying much improved conditions.