Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>The wind loading and cracking in the new snow was mainly at and above tree line and the poor snow pack structure is still a concern. </p>
It was a nice little refresh of a storm with anywhere from 8-10" around Gold Hill Pass which helped to fill in some old tracks. Not sure the new snow changed the hazard too much except where the wind has blown the snow into a denser slab which will stress the weak snow pack structure.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Kind of feels like the snow pack might be slowly adjusting and a little less likely to trigger an avalanche where the snow pack is getting deeper. Todays new snow might not be a big stress on the pack, but in the wind zone I would think the new snow and wind has put a dense slab on top and I would be concerned in these places. </p> <p>Todays fresh wind drifts should be less sensitive tomorrow.</p>
A nice shot of snow for the north slope, about 6" in lower Mill City and Gold Hill with upwards of 10" around Gold Hill Pass and the higher ridge line. The winds have been moving lots of snow around filling in some old tracks, but not covering everything. There was drifted snow on many road cuts and small slopes, this drifted snow would easily crack once you rode through.