Quick report
- Aspect
- Northeast
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Collapsing, Rapid Warming
- Elevation
- 2621 m
- Slope Angle
- 27°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>We saw evidence of numerous small natural avalanches that most likely occured during the storm. Most were 6-12" deep and between 10-30' wide. None ran too far. There are also many cracks visible on the surface where the snow did not slide. The East facing slopes were feeling the effects of solar radiation by noon as the powder was getting wet and more slabby.</p> <p>***Had one significant collapse as I traversed further in to a bowl past the last ski line. One quick kick turn later I traversed back over to a lower angle shoulder. Might have been near some rocks or trees that had weaker snow below but it was enough for me to change my plan. Let the snowpack adjust to the new weight for a bit longer before venturing onto anything too steep.</p>
Saw lots of slopes get tested by sledders and skiers with no fresh activity seen or reported.
Shallow natural soft slab activity which occurred during a period of heavy snowfall on the morning of 3-3-2015...
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Persistent slab avalanches are possible in previously drifted areas. Not enough slab formation where we were to activate the weak layer, but perhaps a different story in upper elevation pockets where March snow was wind deposited.</p> <p>Despite cool air temperatures, solar warming certainly affected the snow on sunny slopes, turning it damp and sticky. We did not witness any natural loose wet activity in the Hell's Kitchen Area, but seemed like sunnier areas would be active. We'll see this issue in the next few days with a warming trend occurring. </p>
Very nice powder conditions, deeper on north and east facing slopes. Snow was getting a bit moist in the sun on east facing slopes by late morning, and we noted a light sub-surface radiation crust in some areas.