Quick report
- Aspect
- Northeast
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Elevation
- 3353 m
- Slope Angle
- 21°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Lots of wind transport going on above treeline with drifting on E,N,W aspects. Crossloading a factor and drifting far downslope. Snowpack structure remains poor with faceting up to 45 cm. Bottom 20 cm are 2mm. No collapsing today for the first time in weeks, ECT's are more stubborn but still reactive at ECTP21 at the ground. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Though wind slabs are widespread, PS seems to present the greatest danger with avalanches up to 3' deep still likely on steep NW,N,E facing slopes right around treeline and above. Recent storm (10" @ .5) was not enough of a load to produce natural activity as the snow came in without wind. I think .5 in 12 hours would be enough with strong winds. A few natural PS avalanches occurred one week prior after incremental loading over a period of 5 days with 1.5-2" SWE. We have a classic scenario of adding straws to the camel's back. </p> <p>Lots of wind transport going on above treeline with drifting on E,N,W aspects. Cross loading a factor and drifting far down slope. Depths varied from 6" to 18". A triggered wind slab has a high likelihood of stepping down and causing a deeper persistent slab avalanche.</p>
6" of nice settled powder from Monday's 10" low density storm. Wind affected above treeline. Finally enough base for turning and riding. 38" in Gold Basin and 26" at the Geyser Pass Trailhead. Dense snow from storms 2-13 through 2-15 is keeping you up above the buried facets and assorted ground obstacles.