Quick report
Today we observed a very manageable and predictable dry-loose avalanche problem isolated to steep north facing slopes above 5000'. We also found prolific bush that made ingress and egress challenging. We observed light gusting moderate SW winds mostly at ridgetop and intermittent S1-S2 snowfall (mostly graupel). We dug a pit at 5200' on a SE 15* slope and found lingering weak snow around and between the mid-January crust and deeper Xmas crust - see attached pit profile for more details. We tested rounding facets buried ~75cm from the surface and just above the mid-January crust and observed unstable results (PST 37/100 END)... further evidence of the lingering persistent slab problem (picture attached). No obvious signs of instability observed today on our quick tour.
Weather
- Air Temp
- -7
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- light
- Recent Snowfall
- 20 cm
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
Snowpack
Variable snow depths, especially below 4500', with ~20cm of recent loose snowfall atop a firm rain crust and pockets of basal facets. More consistent snowpack above 4500' with subtle wind effect isolated to the upper 30cm of surface snow within 50' of ridgelines. We found lingering weak snow around and between the mid-January crust and deeper Xmas crust - see attached pit profile for more details.