Quick report
Today's tour to Mount Brown lookout was dominated by blowdown from the past week's winds.
- We did not observe signs of instability today. The brief periods of visibility limited our views of the surrounding peaks.
- The recent rain crust (buried February 26th) extends in this area up to 6000 feet. The crust was not supportable to the weight of our skis until 5500 feet.
- Above 6000 feet, 3 to 4 inches of new snow rests on a firm surface from the past week's wind scouring and drifting.
- We did not get propagating results in our long column test at 7400 feet.
- Cornices and wind drifts were stubborn. Stomping on them did nothing.
- By the afternoon, the snow surface was moist below 5500 feet.
- Actual ski turns stopped at 5300 feet, survival skiing lasted until 4400 feet, and walking/climbing over downfall to the trailhead.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 20 to 32
- Cloud Cover
- broken
- Wind Loading
- previous
- Recent Snowfall
- 10 cm (recent)
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
Mostly cloudy day with short periods of clearing and a little sun. Calm winds all day. No precipitation throughout the tour. When we were driving back, there was a short burst of wet snowfall.
Snowpack
Snow profile on an east aspect at 7400 feet
- HS: (total snow depth): 195 cm
- Early February crust is 85 cm from the surface.
- Extended Column Test: no propagation. ECTX
- 10 cm of recent soft snow, with a layer of graupel 11 cm from the surface.
Avalanche
No avalanches observed today.