Hankin Storm Check

Today we went to investigate the new storm snow at the Hankin backcountry ski area. Ten centimeters of new snow at the parking lot and up to twenty five centimeters at tree line. In exposed areas the new snow is falling on hard wind pressed snow from last weeks outflow winds. In sheltered areas this new snow is adding to the faceted old snow and makes for boot top blower pow. On one small steep feature, we were able to ski cut a small very soft slab. It fractured within a storm snow interface and propagated twenty meters wide but was only ten to fifteen centimeters deep. On larger features or terrain traps this could present a substantial hazard. With continued snow and wind over the next couple days the avalanche hazard will increase.