Quick report
- Red Flags
- Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Snow Pit at 9650 on a NNW aspect on the extreme rider's left side of Will's had the weakest structure I have yet to encounter in this winter. HS was 110, and there was a 40 cm thick layer of DH with a sandwich of 1.5 cm rain crust 30 cm up from the ground. So, the upper 8.5 cm of advanced dry facets were above the rain crust. The facets below the rain crust (on top of the ground) were at least 2.5 mm in size, dry and uncohesive except right below the rain crust. First attempt to isolate a column resulted in a VE score as I wasn't able to isolate it. The second attempt worked with a CT21 SC that was very sudden. Unfortunately due to time restraints and darkness looming I was unable to perform an ECT. But, the fact remains this snow structure is extremely weak, and it appeared to not showing signs of healing at all. This slope should be considered very suspect with the next significant load. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>See above, and though this problem has been mostly dormant for several weeks now, there appear to be many locations where it may still be an issue looming. </p> <p>Sustained winds with ample velocities continue to blow at the highest ridge lines, and sensitive wind slabs may still be an isolated issue of concern. </p>
Variable conditions out there. Low angle southerly facing terrain above 9400 feet rode very well. The steeper lines in Will's were grabby with a 2 cm breakable wind crust below the 15 cm of settled powder from the latest few events. West facing exposed terrain and ridge tops had areas of wind scour. The best riding was in the sheltered terrain in areas traveled.