Quick report
• On the Canyon floor, 5” settled snow from Feb. 14th. 5” from last night/early AM, plus another 5” fell today from 1000-1500 hrs. • Above 6000’, 8-12” settled snow from Feb. 14th and another 8-12” of storm snow from today. • Light winds with minimal wind loading today. • No obvious signs of instability on the ski tour such as audible collapses or shooting cracks. • Dug two snow pits: o 6600’ on a SE aspect in the Shed 7 West start zone. Snow depth was 67”. Propagation with moderate force in our Extended Column test on a layer of facets located 18” down and on top of the stout melt freeze crust. More details in the pit profile. o 6600’ on the opposite side of the ridge on a north aspect in Sheilds Creek basin. Snow depth was 94”. Similar snowpack structure as on the SE aspect with about 20” of new/recent snow on top of a facet/crust/facet combo. ECTP20 at this interface on the facets resting atop the crust. Could not find any buried surface hoar.
Weather
- Wind Loading
- light
- Recent Snowfall
- 25-35
- Snow Avail For Transport
- large amounts
• Proper storm day in the morning with overcast skies and S1-S2+ snowfall rates. Snowfall ended around 1500 hrs. and visibility improved. • Light northerly winds in the AM, clocking to the SW around midday. • Cooling temperatures with values in the teens °F in the afternoon above 6000’.
Avalanche
- Size
- D2.5
- Type
- HS
- Aspect
- SE
- Trigger
- N
- Elevation
- 7000 ft
• Skies cleared around 1500 and afforded good views of distant terrain with no avalanches to be found in the vicinity of our ski tour. But… • Observed a recent crown from the highway on Snowshed Mtn. It was located above Sheep Creek at about 7000’ elevation on a SE aspect. At least D2 in size and likely failed earlier today on an older persistent weak layer (photo). Could not view the full extent of the crown or the runout.