Quick report
- Aspect
- East
- Elevation
- 2560 m
- Slope Angle
- 28°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>No red flags observed. Structure in snowpit was good with lower facets damp and frozen and almost part of the massive Pencil hard layer at the ground and buried 150cm+ cm deep or more in most spots I poked around. With all the new snow, sluffing on very steep and rocky terrain is in play and was observed naturally off of the ridge line south of doubletop. I dug on a protected subridge on an East aspect at 8400' just above a very steep rollover and found stable conditions with no signs of instability after skiing the slope. </p>
Beautiful day. Sled assist toured up to about 8800' and found awesome conditions and seemingly good stability. I am still suspect of high elevation (above 9000'), very steep (35*+) and protected, rocky and thin terrain facing north and east as I am not confident enough in our PWL being dormant or extinct in those areas and I also suspect there may be some significant variability in snow depths in some areas. With that, I am stepping out into steeper and more complex terrain at higher elevations and today was perfect for it. With the weather forecasted to lack snow, people may be pushed into these higher, steeper, thinner areas where the snow will turn over last. I think its worth a poke and a dig to ensure a deep snowpack (between you and the PWL) and PWL non-existent or damp/ frozen- in areas it is thin and PWL is dry, I would still avoid. Get it while its good! No photos today as my phone was temperamental.
Snowpack
Wonderful conditions with about 2' of new, light, and right side up snow from this last storm cycle. South and Westerly aspects at mid and lower elevations seemed to be affected by the sun mid-day, but it may have been cold enough to fend off crust formation. However, I am anticipating surface crust development in the coming days. Breaking trail with skis and sled was fairly pleasant as well as the right side up snowpack, although deep, was more supportable than anticipated.