New snow has been slowly collecting on the surface over the past couple of nights. Above 4500’, moderate SW winds have transported some of the snow, creating new wind slabs, primarily on leeward side of ridges. Stiff feeling snow underfoot, cracking in the snow or wind etching will be good signs that you’re in a wind effected area. Uncertainty surrounding the new wind slabs can be best managed through conservative terrain choices.
New wind slabs should be expected on ridgelines and leeward slopes. With such light snow on the surface, it doesn’t take a lot of wind to displace it. Expect to see continued loading on SE-E-NE-N slopes. Conservative terrain choices near ridges will be the best way to manage any uncertainty with the new wind slabs.
(1/23/2023)
New wind etching at 5500' / SW face
Devils, creek, Selkirks
Photo: J Thompson
Temperatures recently have been cold enough to preserve the snow near and above treeline making for some great sliding conditions! It doesn’t look like temperatures today will get high enough to worry about the snow on the surface slabbing up, but that is the big potential snowpack change that we’re keeping our eyes on. If the snow on the surface does start to turn into a cohesive slab, then we’ll be more concerned about the interface with the Lucky Friday crust layer underneath. Overall, the Lucky Friday crust is supportable. Stability tests aren’t showing a likelihood to failure.
(1/23/2023) Photo: J. Thompson
