Quick report
A Different Early Season Snowpack
Togwotee has experienced a warming trend with the recent snowfall that has created a firm cohesive slab above weak faceted snow near the ground. This is unique for the zone considering the time of year. Over the four years I've been here, Togwotee has remained cold resulting in a unconsolidated, shallow snowpack during December (except wind loaded terrain). The last warm storm has created a fairly widespread slab earlier than normal. Right now the main concern are steep heavily wind loaded slopes in upper elevations and small steep slopes above terrain traps in middle elevations (such as slopes near the K trail). We'll want to monitor any rapid loading carefully with the current snowpack structure.
Experienced cracking on northerly aspects and wind loaded terrain features. No recent avalanche activity observed. Found propagation in our snowpits with easy results (see snowpack). Large variability in snowpack depth in wind exposed terrain after Thanksgiving storm.
Snowpack
A firm cohesive slab is fairly widespread sitting above weak facets near the ground. In most locations sheltered from wind transport, this slab is about 2 feet deep. We found easy propagation in snowpits (ECTP7, ECTP10, PST 15/100). Failure occured on a melt freeze crust with facets above and below (depth hoar). Steep slopes should remain suspect, especially as slab depth grows with additional snowfall.