Quick report
- Aspect
- East
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Elevation
- 2438 m
- Slope Angle
- 30°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Did a quick pit test at about 8,000' on an eastern aspect. The snow pack was about 40"-50". Found two areas of instability. First was the 2 feet of new storm snow on top of what appeared to be a melt/freeze crust. Next were about 12" of loose facets sitting directly on the ground. With a shovel shear test I was able to get the storm snow to pull away with medium effort with a Q2 shear. The next block pulled away on top of the facets with a similar Q2 shear. The CT test took only 13 hits (10 wrist, 3 elbow) to get the entire block to go. Only a Q2 shear but still scary that it broke straight to ground. The ECT took a little more enticement resulting in 24 hits (10 wrist, 10 elbow, 4 shoulder) just to get the block to collapse onto the weak facets. </p>
I'd still be weary about continued wind loading from the passing storm fronts along with the unpredictability of the snowpack. But I felt fairly confident on most slopes that were wind protected. The snowpack is getting better, but the danger of getting caught in an avalanche that breaks to the ground and will drag you under 4 feet of snow, cheese grating you against rocks and trees is still enough of a deterrent to be mindful of each step.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>With the pit test, all I could get to go was the entire snowpack down to the ground. There is stability with the new storm snow, but a lot of questions as to the increasing weight upon the weak facets. The first skier may be fine, but the fifth skier may not be. It is just a matter of having the right trigger to set off a deep slab. </p> <p>We found some wind loading off the ridges and into the run-outs and gullies. High winds from the night before may have caused some pockets of instability. </p>
Tons of new fresh snow. About 16"-24" could be found.