Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
Went for some cable assisted laps on Rocky Point today and was greeted with great riding conditions and absolutely frigid temps. From 1000-1200, skies remained broken, and winds were calm gusting to moderate on the ridge. intermittent signs of transport noted as Westerly winds deposited snow into the Rocky Point apron. Photo 1 shows shooting cracks observed in wind drifted snow on SE facing wind drifts at 10450'
Photo 2 was taken facing 188 degrees South on the Rocky Point ridgeline showing old cornices in the background from Westerly winds, and new wind erosion and sastrugi in the foreground from both Westerly AND Easterly winds. Loaded slopes are everywhere and I am scared.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>As Drew Hardesty said in his forecast on Wednesday the 23rd, "Nothing good comes with an East wind". Today we noticed wind drifts up to 18" on E and NE facing aspects in the Rocky Point area, though these drifts can be found on leeward terrain features around the compass at mid-upper elevations. Stomping on some SE facing wind drifts at 10,450', I observed 2-5 foot shooting cracks. </p> <p>HST of 6-10" observed in the Catherines/Rocky Point areas.</p>