Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
Given the poor snowpack structure on northerly aspects, I was expecting to see more in-you-face instability (avalanches, lots of collapsing and cracking). But we only got a few collapses (although one very loud one!) and some cracking in the storm snow on steep aspects. Did not see any evidence of recent avalanches, but the overnight snow likely covered up any slopes that slid. (i.e. I could not find any evidence of the Wednesday slide in Rocky Point.)
Photo below highlights poor snowpack structure.
Generally poor visibility today, but was able to travel a bit on some south and west aspects and am finding better coverage with dense snow. With more dense snow in the forecast, this will help fill in these aspects and provide us options other than northerly aspects.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>We've added nearly 2" of water to the snowpack, overloading the fragile layer of weak faceted snow down near the ground. With more snow and wind in the forecast, we can expect to see continued avalanche activity on this layer.</p> <p>Wind drifts were sensitive on Wednesday and continued wind-loading today and Friday will create additional wind drifts. </p>
Dense snow was inverted making for challenging riding and trail-breaking conditions. HS is generally a meter (40") on sheltered northerly aspects > 9500'. Am finding 60 cms (2') HS on solar (west/south/east) aspects, slopes which were essentially bare a week ago. This is a good sign as it will hopefully providing riding options on slopes other than northerly.