Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
W winds from monday dumped snow in rescue creek and made the snow surface incredibly variable. Cornices observed on pen's SE ridge. S aspect of pen above 6k' boasted consistent, stable snow. Isolated cracking on a wind affected crust at low to mid elevations (4k'-6k') on E aspects at the bottom of the drainage. No collapsing experienced. Wind affected snow on SE ridge of penrose through middle/higher elevations (6k'-summit). Mid elevations, S aspect of penrose grew wet and heavy through the afternoon but no major wet-loose concerns.
Snowpack
Snow in the drainage was severely wind affected. 1.5' deep, wind deposited snow sat on top of a firm crust, seemingly from early February. Snow on SE ridge also wind affected. Snow on S aspect of penrose was less wind affected and more consistent. Snow was growing wet and heavy below 7k' on this aspect at 130pm.
Avalanche
Multiple natural slides occurred sometime between Monday-thuraday last week on SE aspect of penrose and subsequent NE trending ridge, largest D2+, toe 5k'. Crowns along this aspect at higher elevations (~7k') indicated penetration to a weak layer. Single crown observed at middle elevations (~6k') along similar aspect, D1 toe ~5700'.