Quick report
Adventure is the best mindset for current conditions. We managed to find soft, predictable turns in the most protected NE slopes, but the snowpack was shallow, and a breakable crust could be felt under the surface facets. We found scoured surfaces, supportable crusts, breakable crusts, faceted surfaces, and old wind affected surfaces. The snowpack in this area is becoming weak on all aspects holding snow, and that is worth noting for when we receive new snow.
Snow was generally cold, but surface snow on solar slopes did reach 32º F after noon. Regardless, no wet loose instabilities were observed today. Ski crampons were useful in the morning hours on some slick solar slopes traveled today (supportable, K hard crusts).
Weather
- Air Temp
- 28/39/46
- Cloud Cover
- clear
- Snow Avail For Transport
- none
Beautiful and balmy with temps rising quickly to above freezing in the morning. Winds were light and variable between the west and north. No snow available for transport.
Snowpack
Conditions observed today are similar to what we've been seeing throughout the forecast zone.
SW - bare or crust - facet - crust general structure, variable thickness/hardness of crusts. Only the top facets were wet at/just above treeline, (9300'). Max warming on a solar slope observed was: Tair 7ºC, T surf 0ºC, T20 -6ºC @ 9500' higher up on slope, after noon. No wet instabilities were observed.
NW - stripped
NE - HS 30 - 100 cm, all facets with some decomposing MF crusts lower down (12/14 and 12/24), and decomposing wind affected layers in upper snowpack (see snowpit).