Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Wind Loading, Rapid Warming, Poor Snowpack Structure
About 10 inches fell from last weekends storm in the upper reaches of cherry canyon and some wind drifted it into avy starting zones on lee slopes. Not enough to trigger anything else this cycle but it was a very active cycle the week before. Any similar slopes that did not slide are highly suspect.
We stuck to wooded and sheltered terrain and kept to a careful uptrack on our way to 9300'. I observed very thin snow (less than to the grip of a ski pole) on the windward west slope. Other spots have collected this snow and are very hard and stable, sometimes a few feet was the difference.
Rapid warming makes me feel uneasy about mid elevation slopes where the slab is deforming above weak snow. Trees and sheltered were more stable than open areas.
High march sun and warm temps have made for poor riding conditions in sun affected areas and seemingly stable powder is tempting although what we really need is a lot more snow in March.
Looks like epiphany slide. (1st photo)
Upper cherry canyon (2,3)
Upper smithfield (4,5)
West cherry peak (6)
South high creek ridgeline (7)
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Thin overall snowpack and depth hoar makes for careful terrain and route finding choices. Rapid warming could reactive facets near the ground.</p> <p>Slopes similar to those recently avalanched are most suspect.</p>