Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Cracking
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>The wind was moving snow all day and cross loading many sub ridges near the main ridgeline.</p>
First photo shows the slab stacked up against the trees. The second photo shows where the slab released from the tree on the left to the rock on the right. There is a crown up along the skyline. Hard to see. Third photo shows how wind scoured the snow is in places. Danger mostly moderate to low you just have to avoid these wind slabs which maybe harder to see with new snow on top. Our observation was different than Bruce's from Cutler Ridge with slabs that were very sensitive to ski cuts. Also noted control work the SB patrol was doing in the sister chutes was productive with slides running 1/4- 1/2 slope in several areas.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>We easily released a wind slab just stepping on the edge of it. NWN slope of 36-38 degrees. It pulled out 20-25 yards across and ran about 50-60 yards down slope with moderate energy until it piled into some trees and the slope angle lessened where it stopped. This event changed our planned route. The snow pack is solid below the crust</p>
Variable snow surfaces. Powder was dense on the surface and a bit inverted with low density snow on top of the crust. Ski crampons would have been useful on the steep wind scoured slopes on the way back into the resort.