Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Wind Loading, Cracking, Collapsing
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Some cracking and collapsing observed in isolated flat spots along the ridge. </p>
Poked around NE facing White Pine / Rainbow Peak thru the Spire. Winds picked up early and were throwing a lot of snow off the Hogback and Red Top. By the time we made our exit at about 9:30 winds had shifted across the slope and intensified, scouring and cross loading Lake Peak and Boulder Basin. Our first run we found soft snow off the ridge and some stiffer snow mid-slope, kicked off a small soft slab D1 about 9500' E facing. On the way out transport had become more widespread and most aspects had picked up a wind skin 1-4'' thick. Observed a few natural soft slabs triggered by the cross loading convex slopes all around 9800' NE facing. Overall think the hazard remains moderate with pockets of considerable but this wind will have made instabilities more reluctant.
Snowpack
Off Rainbow Peak early this morning snow was still loose right off the ridge but stiffened up slightly mid-slope. By the time we made our exit many aspects had picked up a wind skin or been scoured away.