Snowpack

Observation: Patsy Marly

ChasenSalt Lake
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Quick report

Red Flags
Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure

Great skiing on N-NE facing slopes, fun day to be out. Combination of what I saw on S facing slopes and recent avalanche reports pushed me the other way.

Snowpack

Instability Comment
<p>Found wind drifts at the surface and buried. Wind affected snow was inconsistent and patchy on S-SW slopes, some spots got spared and others were absolutely battered by the wind over the past few days. Saw cornices forming on northerly aspects. </p> <p>I ended up skiing a North facing aspect, but wanted to dig and poke around on a southerly one just to check out this weak layer. On the south facing side of Patsey Marley where I was (above the Microwave) the weak layer was buried about a foot deep in most spots. Picture below shows the faceted snow that helps make up the weak layer brushed out from the rest of the snow. </p>