Quick report
Likely due to cold temperatures, there has been minimal activity observed in the range for now. This is expected to change with new loading events and warmer temperatures. When in the field, we did not experience any signs of instability. No recent avalanches, cracking, or collapsing. Most recent activity observed from 3/6-3/8 storm.
Snowpack
The snowpack structure is such that a shallow trigger point, new load, or rapid warming will be cause for concern. The continued wind and cold events have produced inconsistent HS throughout the region. On 03/13, we measured inconsistencies ranging from 420cm at 3,900' in deposition zones to 140cm around 2,700' in other zones. In one area, average HS was from 320 to 270 in the upper parts of runs, and 170 to 140 in the lower parts of runs. In another drainage, more consolidated snow was found with fewer layers of facets. At 2700', in a NW aspect just west of the Copper, the snowpack degraded, and many layers of facets (up to 100 cm thick) were discovered with probing. Below 2700' the snowpack was even more shallow and faceted. Persistent grains were observed in all pits dug, with minimal propagation results in long column tests at this time. We think the cold temps are locking things up at this time.