Quick report
- Red Flags
- Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
Could not isolate columns today on north-facing low angle slopes below 10,420'. Columns were failing on what appeared to be a density change under the new snow. There was visible collapsing on this layer with skin track cuts.
Yesterday we had ECT columns fail on isolation in north-facing Days Fork below Two Dogs (see photo). Those were failing on fist density large-grained facets under the new snow from last weekend. So the poor structure is widespread in the upper elevation BCC/LCC terrain.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>The new storm snow will easily override the poor structure in our thin snowpack. So the #1 avalanche problem is really a combination of new snow, deeper faceted layers, and fresh windloaded pockets (which can be found all over the map due to the severe winds). I expect High+ hazard in steep terrain, especially where windloaded. The current lemons in our snowpack will be problematic for weeks. </p>
Heavy and wet. Very cohesive new slab.