Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
- Collapsing
- isolated
Concerns for the loading expected in the storm forecasted for tonight and tomorrow are: (1) the firmness and slickness of the rain crust could provide an efficient bed surface; and (2) the relative weakness of the old near surface facet layer immediately below the rain crust. Isolated minor cracking and even a couple faint whumphs below mostly very firm, supportable, and slick rain crust. Observed several avalanches that appeared to have occurred yesterday (02.02.2025) as described below.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 1.7 at 7100' at 1015. -0.5 at 8010' at 1140.
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- none
- Recent Snowfall
- Trace
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
Overcast with steady moderate to strong SW winds and only slight warming.
Snowpack
The rain crust extended to the maximum elevation I travelled (~8150') and was predominately very firm and up to at least 10cm thick. The various near surface facet layers between the crusts below were all at least moist down to 80cm from the surface, with some evidence of rounding. My tests initiated failures in the near surface facet layer just below the top rain crust, but did not result in propagation.
Avalanche
Saw a few recent natural wet loose avalanches of size D1-1.5, some apparently triggered by cornice fall. These were on E aspects at ~7700' and an ESE aspect at ~7450'. Observed from a distance the crown of a slab avalanche that propagated widely across the central part of the E Face of Mt. Judah at ~7850'. Appeared to be natural from yesterday (no visible evidence of human trigger).