Quick report
- Aspect
- North
- Red Flags
- Poor Snowpack Structure
- Elevation
- 2835 m
- Slope Angle
- 26°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>The poor structure is the biggest red flag observed today. No avalanche activity, collapsing, or cracking was observed.</p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>We found wind drifts to be generally 6 to 10 inches deep. The interface just below the very obvious dust layer was what we found to be the weakest. Shovel tilt tests produced failure with easy to moderate force and clean, repeatable shears. On a series of small tests slopes, we were not able to cause any avalanching or observe any cracking within the new snow. No evidence of cracking, collapsing, or avalanches in areas we traveled today. North and East aspects were the most common aspects with wind-drifted snow present. Mid and upper-elevation south and west slopes took a beating and lost significant coverage. </p> <p>The layer of facets from mid-November is generally buried 50 to 70cm below the surface and ranged from F to 4F hardness. The slab above the faceted layer was consistently 1F to pencil hard. We performed several tests on multiple aspects and results varied. We had multiple ECTx and a couple of ECTP30+. PST's ranged from 30-45/100 END on November facets.</p> <p> </p> <p>With the lack of recent avalanche activity on this layer and ECT continuing to require more force to fail over the last 10+ days it feels clear this layer is gaining strength and is adjusting to the slab above but don't think we've seen the last of it yet. The upcoming storm with an advertised 2" SWE or more may be a great test to see just how strong this weak layer is. </p>
Wind-pressed surface conditions made for fun and fast skiing.