Zero to Hero (Visibility)

The South Rockies team ventured to Elkford today to investigate the effects of recent warming on the snowpack. Riding from Koko staging today was decent access, only a few dirt patches and a smooth recent groom! We had convective flurries all morning putting 5 cm of new snow on top of a thin breakable surface crust. Moderate NW wind was hard at work transporting snow at ridgetops and building cornices. The clouds broke around 2pm and the suns rays were a welcome change from the mornings wind and snow. Our investigation into the persistent slab problem revealed that below 2200 m the snow above the atmospheric river crust is moist and decomposing the weak layer into melt forms. Above 2200 m there is 30-50 cm of dry snow over the atmospheric river crust, and 2 mm facets still exist between the crust and upper snowpack. We had sudden hard results in tests. While the likelihood of triggering this layer is low, it still has the potential to make large avalanches in the alpine. We will be cautious of steep slopes, shallow or thick to thin spots in the snowpack, and rocky areas in the alpine where triggering this layer is more likely. With cooler temperatures tonight, expect a strong refreeze up to 2200 m that could make for challenging travel in the TL and BTL. Thanks to the Elkford Snowmobile Club for the continued maintenance and making access possible still!!