Snowpack

June BC

Greg CunninghamEastside Region
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Observation photo 1

Quick report

My goals for a quick tour this morning were to look at reactivity and distribution of wind slabs, and monitor for wet loose concerns. 

While skinning up the Hourglass, I witnessed a small rockfall from the cliffs above that crossed the skin track. While small, the rocks were still softball-sized.

I poked at cold snow in drifted features on the way up. 

I descended at 1130 on an east aspect and found the wind-blown new snow on E to be smooth and sticky. The old melt/freeze snow was quality corn. 

Weather

Air Temp
Low 40s
Cloud Cover
clear
Wind Loading
previous
Recent Snowfall
5-10
Snow Avail For Transport
none

Clear and calm. Cold in the morning but warmed quickly. Light west winds at ridgetops.

Snowpack

  • On NE favored slopes at 10500 ft, I found 2-4" of wind-blown new snow that was dense to the old interface and well bonded. 
  • On E at 11000 ft, I found 2-4" of wind-blown snow that was starting to transition, and becoming sticky but not reactive to skis cuts at 1130.
  • On SE, I found bare ground and old melt/freeze snow surfaces that were softening nicely.
  • Coverage and access in and out of the Negatives is still decent, assuming you skin back to the ski area.