Quick report
We welcomed the incoming storm by visiting the Swan Lake area:
- It rained steadily below 6000', our clothes got damp but our spirits did not.
- We saw only a few natural rollerballs on northerly slopes below 6500´.
- The surface snow was moist up to 6600' (our high point) with dry snow just below the surface.
- Large column tests failed 2 to 3 feet deep with hard force.
- We sank the sleds into a couple old wind slabs, but these were unreactive.
We rode mostly low-angle slopes facing north and northeast.
Roller balls started from our tracks on steep slopes but did not grow in size.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 33
- Cloud Cover
- obscured
- Wind Loading
- none
- Rain Elevation
- 6000
- Recent Snowfall
- 1
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
Snowline was at 5200' on our way in and climbed to 6000' by noon.
Snowpack
Top 10 to 15 cm were wet to moist, dry below.
@ 6100' N
- HS=170cm
- ECTP23 down 70cm on SH/FC (January drought layer)
@6600' NE
- HS=300cm
- ECTN on several interfaces in the top 50 cm with medium-hard force.
- ECTP30+ (extra force) down 85 cm on SH (2/14 interface)
- January Drought Layer down 110cm
Avalanche
No recent avalanches seen with limited visibility.