Quick report
Observed a currently stable and overall right side up snowpack. At 6,000+ft, the top 30cm of snow are F-4F near surface facets, and directly below that is a P+ rain crust from 11/23 which varies in size, averaging 10cm. Focused my digging around the upper elevations because that's where the most advanced faceting would likely be. Facets above the rain crust were unreactive and showed very resistent to failure. Below the rain crust the snow pack is bonding well and is showing to be strong in strength and structure. Observed surface hoar at 4,000ft to be very large and have advanced feathers. At 5,000-6,700ft the surface hoar was large only in shaded areas, and much smaller in areas that were exposed to sun. The difference in the surface hoar development seems to be driven by the consecutive days of inversions we have had, creating a "bath tub" effect. It seems like the surface instabilities we are developing now could drive future avalanche problems once thay are buried and a bigger load is added.
No signs of instabilitiesWeather
- Air Temp
- 31
- Cloud Cover
- clear
- Recent Snowfall
- 0
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
A nice inversion in the valley, but experienced a bluebird sunny day in the mountains. Temps were in the 30's and light wind out of the SW.
Snowpack
Pit dug on an East facing slope, 6,450ft with a HS snow of 136cm. ECTX. Top 27cm of snowpack were F-4F near surface facets, sitting on top of a 19cm thick P+ rain crust. Snowpack below the thick rain crust is a mix of small rounds and a few other thinner rain crusts. The bottom 27cm were moist small rounds.
Pit on a North facing aspect at 6,400ft had the same near surface facet and rain crust set up, with an ECTX, CTN.
Avalanche
Small wet loose avalanche on a West facing slope, but atleast a couple days old.