Quick report
- Aspect
- Northeast
- Red Flags
- Poor Snowpack Structure
- Elevation
- 2621 m
- Slope Angle
- 21°
Snowpit on a northeast aspect at 8,570' had a height of snow of 49" (125cm) with dry four-finger facets near the ground. We had no propagation on 2 extended column tests. The first one had some brush in it so we tried a second extended columnt test with no results. Compression test showed no results, but we did have propagation on layer of small grained facets 13" off the ground (35cm) after the ECTX. Below snowpit was on an east facing slope at 8,730'. This area had more wind packed snow and the snow near the ground under the dirt layer was damp. Total height of snow was 53" (135cm). There was a steeper slope with a cornice nearby that had some minor new snow sloughing, but was not an issue. This area of Monte Cristo has big flats with lots of snow available for transport and the east facing slopes have the potential to load quickly.
Below photo of new snow sloughing off of tracks on a steep east facing slope at 8,900'
Below photo of coverage on the road and snow in the trees at 9,000' in elevation
Today, we saw no signs of wind-drifting in the newest snow. We observed no cracking, collapsing, or whumpfing. The weak snow structure is still near the ground particularly in thinner, rockier north-east facing aspects in this zone.
Snowpack
3"-4" at the trailhead,and 8"-10" new snow at 8,900' in elevation. New snow was low density and made for great travel. Still thin snowpack with lots of brush, trees, and grass showing through up to 8,200' in elevation.