Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Still did not get to see much of the higher terrain, but the wind has worked much of the area. Winds were still moving snow around today and fresh wind drifts were quite sensitive to the weight of a rider.</p>
Some calm and mild weather for a few days should help settle things out and improve the riding conditions. I think the avalanche hazard although will stay some what elevated for awhile, the snow pack will need some time to adjust to the added weight.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>I would guess many slopes did avalanche naturally during this several day storm event. But some slopes are still waiting for a trigger. It has been quite the load of new snow and wind loading onto a weak snow pack. </p> <p>The winds continue to move snow around and large drifts have formed even in the flatter terrain. The few small slopes I was able to see had fresh wind deposited snow that would crack about two feet deep around sleds and skis. </p>
Quite challenging conditions to travel around right now. In very protected areas the snow is quite nice, but generally the wind has been all over the place creating huge drifts and deep wallowing snow. I spent a good portion of my afternoon getting the sled unstuck. It was hard to tell how much new snow came overnight and yesterday with so much wind?