Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Even the wind was over-forecasted, a bit of a rarity for the La Sals! The winds quickly backed off to the moderate range, but they did blow all day. I observed light to moderate snow transport throughout the day, mostly onto Northerly aspects. Winds were once again swirling and changing direction in the drainage bottoms, and I suspect you could find a rogue drift even on a wind-ward slope (cross-loading). </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Three inches and some wind isn't going to do much to affect our persistent weak layer. I checked out a West facing slope at 11,210'. Nothing too noteworthy about this pit, but I was able to locate that crust/facet combo that has only been popping up on due West aspects. This layer did not react to stability tests today. This layer failed beneath the crust on 2/7 producing two separate avalanches in the mid-funnel and lower funnel. The layer I'm referring to is between 67-74 cm and is easily seen in the photo below.</p> <p> </p> <p>You'll definitely be able to find some sensitive wind drifts on Wednesday. They will be primarily found on NW-N-NE-E facing slopes. With only three inches of new snow available for transport, they won't be very deep, but they will be sensitive. Slopes like the one in the photo below (Noriega's) have obvious signs of loading and could be easily triggered by a skier on Wednesday.</p> <p> </p> <p>On the drive down I had good vis and saw snow pluming off Pilot Mt.</p>
Another storm under-delivers. We managed to pick up three inches of new snow. The storm was very quick moving and started with mostly graupel. The last inch or so fell as light, fluffy stellars. Three inches and wind can make for a good refresh, and I was able to find great skiing in sheltered trees.