Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Cracking, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Haven't checked the poor snowpack structure box in a while but even quick hand pits showed surprisingly unconsolidated wet grains under the recent snow and crusts.</p>
Probably a considerable danger for wind slabs up high with such heavy winds and a smooth bed surface. Observed more of a moderate hazard in areas traveled. Unsure of the source of frequent collapses so we hedged our bets.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Stayed to the most sheltered terrain we could think of for fear of getting blown over. Drifting and cornices in mid slope features but cracking was relatively limited considering the circumstances.</p> <p>Our group heard many (5+) significant audible collapses (woomphs) from sub-surface layers. Investigated with several hand pits down into the dirty corn layer from before Friday's storm and performed shovel shear tests and hand shears with no results. Significant crust capping Friday's damp grains and again capping the loose wet corn from mid-week. Couldn't pinpoint where the collapsing was occurring and didn't want to dig a proper pit so we erred on the side of caution and stuck to meadows where the skiing was smooth and fun. </p>
Widespread wind effected snow provided smooth meadow skipping where the snow remained. Mostly supportable crust exposed from snow which fell 5/9-5/10 and warmed before last night's disturbance blew through.