Quick report
Nice day to be in the park. No signs of instability on ascent route. No observed wet loose slides, however noticed rollerballs and small wet releases on sun-baked, S facing sections - especially on steeper slopes. Wind scoured along Pesticide ridge but no cracking, collapsing, or signs of cornice instabilities along shaded ridge. Dug a snowpit before we turned around, 7780 ft, E, 35°, 140cm from surface (location shown in picture). No red flags of instabilities. Strong sun crust and ~2 in new snow from Thursday showers sat on top of most recent storm snow. New storm snow seems to have coalesced into more solid slab, and additionally noticed some faceting layers deeper down. Performed ECT and Isolated CT. For ECT no crack propagation or observed shearing after 30+ taps. For Isolated CT noticed subtle cracking after 20+ taps, however propagation/shear was not quite planar, more within recent storm slab. Overall no glaring red flags of instability. Upon descent (~4:30pm), S sections had strong crust and E sections were softer but still crusty outside of the shade. Dipped into N trees at end of gully and snow was much softer. Again, no signs of instability on ride down.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 26
- Cloud Cover
- clear
- Wind Loading
- none