Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Widespread Loose Dry avalanches in steep terrain were observed with slope cuts easily initiating stuffing in the upper four inches of the new snow. Tilt Tests confirmed this weakness and it was lingering at least till the end of the day. Poor Snowpack Structure was observed at mid elevations in multiple pits with reactive weaknesses at a mid-pack layer as well as in the basal facets. CTM scores were consistently observed at about 33 cm down. CTM and CTH scores were also observed in the basal facets near the ground directly above the deteriorating October rain crust. Slope cuts were also able to easily trigger small shallow cross loaded pocket of wind slabs on westerly facing upper elevation terrain features. </p>
Photos by Conway
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>See comments above about Loose Dry avalanches. These sensitivities most likely will become less reactive over the next 24 hours.</p> <p>See comments above, and these most likely will become less reactive as well by Sunday. </p> <p> </p> <p>Of note, the previously cited basal facets appear to be showing signs of rounding with early stages of sintering, (see photo below). Regardless, this weakness still is yielding SC shear characteristics in CT's, and ECTN's appeared to be common in multiple tests performed. </p>
Riding was very much improved with this latest event. In sheltered areas the grauple from earlier in the week added to the bottomless riding. In more exposed terrain the riding was still bottom feeding. The cold temperatures and low angle sun appeared to help keep the snow on the southerly faces cold and dry.