Cool temperatures and a thick crust on the surface has left us with a very stable snowpack at lower elevations. If you climb into the upper treeline and alpine where the crust did not form, be on the lookout for windslabs.
Recent extreme winds have created thick wind slabs in the alpine. Be very cautious as you climb to treeline and leave the thick surface crust behind, the snowpack will change very quickly.
Tuesday: Sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Strong westerly winds, alpine high -13
Wednesday: Sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Strong to extreme westerly winds, and rising temperatures. Alpine high -6.
Thursday: Mainly sunny. Light to moderate west winds, alpine high -12
A thick melt freeze crust exists up to 2000m, capped by 5cm of new snow that has been transported by westerly winds. The alpine is highly wind affected by prevous west winds, with many windward areas completely stripped of snow, and lee areas containing wind slabs. The midpack is strong and well settled near the divide.
No new avalanches observed.
