Quick report
- Aspect
- East
- Red Flags
- Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Elevation
- 3383 m
- Slope Angle
- 25°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>On and off snow during the day was being transported to leeward slopes by wind coming from the east. The major instability I noted in my stability tests were the new snow on top of a wind crust at the top of our previous storm slab from last weekend. There was isolated collapsing and cracking. I did note some larger collapses/wumpfs in shaded areas in the trees on my 2/3rd ascent up my skin track reminding me that previous tracks do not indicate stability. I am still very cautious of our snowpack with the multiple weak layers present, but I was not able to produce any results into older faceted layers in my extended column tests. </p>
Snow pit at 11100' near treeline on an East Facing aspect. New snow on top of a large dense slab from the previous storm last weekend. Below this layer is is multiple crusts separating weak, faceted snow.
Through heavy morning snow, either a repeat offender from the pervious storm cycle last weekend or one that broke to the ground on steep, rocky and radical N facing terrain.
Evidence of old cracking on a small steep convex in the trees
Wind transport during the entire day and previous days is loading N-NE-E facing slopes.
La Sal Peak's East facing Couloir filled in from wind transport.
Beautiful views and excellent skiing/riding in the North Group of the La Sals
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>There was 3 inches of new snow in my pit and I performed two extended column tests. I dug a pit and performed some stability tests on an East facing slope in open terrain right around treeline at 11100'. I was able to produce an ECTN5 and ECTP7 at 103cm at the base of a 2cm wind crust at the top of the last weekends storm slab. I performed a second tests and got a result of ECTP3 at this same layer. I anticipate this will become more reactive with the possibility of light snow tonight and continued winds. </p> <p>I was very surprised during my extended column test I was not able to produce any results into older, faceted layers of snow. I am still not confident in our weak/shallow snowpack being safe. </p>
Very excellent skiing/riding on East aspects in the trees and in open meadows below tree line. I measured 3" of new snow in my pit at 1030 and it snowed on and off during the day. In addition to wind transport the snow was skiing much deeper than measured and was the best of the season.