West Mt.
Quick report
- Cracking
- specific
- Collapsing
- specific
Hopefully I observed the start of a good storm cycle! I was using normal caution while traveling today in areas without wind loading. In wind-loaded areas I was traveling as per considerable hazard, e.g., I avoided any steep and loaded slope. Cracking and collapsing limited to wind loaded areas. The photos below are in an area that is off of the main ridge and cross-loads. This will be something to pay attention to in the near future.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 17
- Cloud Cover
- obscured
- Wind Loading
- intense
- Recent Snowfall
- 10-15
- Snow Avail For Transport
- large amounts
Nuking and Puking. At one point on the ridgetop, the wind was able to move me on a flat surface. i would estimate 40 mph+ for gusts.
Snowpack
HST from the last two days is 4-6". Areas or drifting and loading up to at least 16". Sitting on a variety of old surfaces. I have been curious if the underlying crusts will support a load or will allow for propagation. The answer as demonstrated by the collapsing and cracking I observed is on northerly aspects where the crust is weak is... No they will not support a new load and the new snow in drifted areas can and will propagate into the underlying facets. The crust on sunny aspects is stout and will likely support a load. In wind-protected areas, I was able to isolate numerous pole/hand columns in the upper 18" of the snow pack, including weak faceted snow below the crust, the 4-6" is not enough to cause alram. this could change rapidly with more snow.