Quick report
About 5" of new snow didn't dramatically change stability yet in wind-protected terrain where we traveled. I could hear winds roaring up high and noted drifts several feet thick along valley floor...I suspect conditions were more interesting in leeward terrain at higher elevations.
No signs of instability underfoot. Most of our travel was on an existing skin track or short, steep slopes on the descent.Weather
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- moderate
- Recent Snowfall
- 12
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
Moderate snow transport at valley floor along Slate River Road, no visibility of higher terrain.
Snowpack
ECTX results on a sheltered NE aspect; shovel went past all the weak layers through soft snow. Three prominent facet layers in the snowpack (2/11 down 35 cm, 1/23 down 50 cm, and 12/25 down 85 cm). It will be interesting to see if this storm is finally enough to collapse the Christmas Crust, which is 3 feet deep here.
Avalanche
Poor visibility. I think there was a fresh ~D1.5 out of the looker's right Climax Chute, but it's difficult to say for sure.