Quick report
- Cracking
- specific
Ascended NW ridge of Rock Mountain to approx. 6500ft, starting from Snowy Creek TH. Skies were broken most of the day, more obscured as we climbed higher on the mountain. W/SW wind effect from 12/14 was evident above 6k in exposed ridgeline terrain. On our ascent, windslab formation was observed on lee aspects just off the ridgeline and test slopes were found to have reactive dense slabs up to 20-25cm deep. Given this finding we opted to avoid terrain above tree line that may have seen loading/crossloading from yesterday's wind. We skied non-wind affected slopes up to ~35 degrees at and below treeline, with the only instability being occasional dry loose on convexities. Surface conditions were excellent. 5114f ft: HS 90cm 5734 ft: Due north aspect 21 degree slope HS 125cm HN24 27cm F 125-98cm 4F 98-75cm 1F 75-60cm MF/rain crust at 60cm, approx 1 cm thick (12/7 crust) Pencil or greater density below with no notable layering CT 6 RP @ old/new interface, down 27cm ECTN 5 @ old/new interface, down 27cm Of note, 12/7 crust not reactive in stability tests. Following shovel shear on this layer, I observed small (<0.5mm) rounding grains just above crust.