Quick report
Snowpit from NE aspect at 9130 feet.
Old wet-loose avalanches that ran in steep south and southeast-facing terrain.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Above 8500 feet, the 3–5 foot snowpack is strong, supported by a 1F hard base containing two or three pencil-hard crusts from the previous rain events. However, the surface is weakening noticeably. Surface conditions range from early-stage faceting on wind-exposed slopes to well-developed, cohesionless facets in sheltered, open timber. Notably, Southeast aspects show a thin crust capping small grain facets. </p> <p><em>The crystal card shows an interface where faceted snow sits above a strong crust at Northeast Aspect 9150 feet.</em></p>
Surface conditions vary by aspect: expect melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes and firm, scoured surfaces on high-elevation wind-exposed slopes. The best riding is currently found on sheltered North and East aspects in the mid-to-upper elevations. However, the top 2–8 inches contain developing surface hoar and near-surface facets. While this soft snow offers great skiing now, it is forming a problematic weak layer for the future.