Triggering of the November 17th persistent weak layer remains possible in isolated terrain features. Assess the snowpack carefully before stepping out into large open slopes, especially around treeline.
Previous strong SW winds created pockets of wind slab in the alpine. This is becoming less of a problem as the cold temps slowly facet out the surface snow and reduce the hardness of the wind slab.
Be cautious stepping out in to terrain that is further afield, and may not have received previous heavy skier traffic. The Nov 17 surface hoar is in rider triggering range down 50-80cm, and continues to give 'sudden' results in snowpack tests.
On Saturday Lone Pine produced a size 2 glide crack release which ran into the fan. Several other avalanches occurred up to size 2 out of steep, rocky terrain.
Reports of whumpfing and remote triggering of small unsupported pillows below tree line on the Nov 17 persistent slab continue.
Surface snow is faceted due to the cold temps. The Nov 17 persistent slab (surface hoar 5-30mm, facets, and crust) is down 50-80cm with the largest surface hoar present on sheltered slopes at treeline and below.
Snowpack depth is still variable (~120cm at treeline), early season hazards remain a concern.
Sunday will see a rise in temperature as a warm airmass passes through the region. Expect an alpine high of -5, mainly sunny skies, and light ridgetop winds.
Return to cooler temps and moderate winds by Monday evening. A small amount of snow is forecasted for Tuesday.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
