Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Wind Loading, Cracking
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Noted a couple size 1 to 1.5 naturals off the south Cardiff Peak ridgeline. E/SE facing though crowns and debris mostly obscured by continued wind loading. One large cornice fall north facing into Cardiff near the top of the Two Trees run, though it didn't looked like it triggered anything below. </p>
Despite the Considerable danger and continued wind loading, skiers still attacked south facing Little Superior and Two Trees, Toledo Chutes and the Hallway. Evident cross-loading noted in this terrain, but wind drifts apparently inert. Agreed with today's forecast that the height of instability would be in the morning and trending toward Moderate as the day wears on.
Obligatory cornice photo of the day...
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>New/old interface on north and south held together by JB Weld; instead weaknesses found within the storm snow 3-5" down though not connected enough to produce any avalanching on many steep test slopes. </p> <p>Wind slabs noted up to 18" scattered on many aspects at the mid and upper elevations. Ski cut many wind loaded test slopes and only produced minor cracking. Another party triggered a 8" deep and 35' wide wind slab on the north Cardiff Peak ridgeline headed toward the intermediate ridge. No other naturals or human triggered wind slabs noted. </p> <p>"Trend" depends much on overnight and tomorrow winds .</p> <p>Photo 1 - skier triggered wind pocket off the backside of Cardiff Peak</p> <p>Photo 2 - early morning naturals now obscured by add'l drifting</p>
About a foot of new with scattered wind drifts across the landscape...that would almost stop you in your tracks. If you can't spot the wind drifts, it'll be that feeling of texture/resistance that'll be the clue.