Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Lots of red flags from this week. Although if you were walking with the blinders on in low vis, you may not have noticed much today, no cracking, collasping sluff or such.</p> <p>I did not dig any formal pits but was able to push my pole into facets on north and east aspects. Some of the instabilties I observed yestday appear to have settled out.</p>
No snow profiles today, lots of hand and pole pits, light was not conducive to photography.
Skied east, south and north aspects. All aspects felt similar though the mid-pack. I was able to isolate 3' tall columns in this week's snow on all aspects.
It is possible that the north facing portion of the ne bowl of Reynolds ran during the storm, surface looks a bit rough.
Photo below, It is deep out there, please make sure all short kids have proper safety gear!
I think we are in the realm where the hazard is not an easy call, I am saying considerable but traveling as per high at times, I gave the cornice on the east ridge of Reynolds more room than usual.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>The new snow will have masked any drifts/slabs from the recent wind events,</p> <p>Considerable danger in wind affected areas.</p> <p>The facets are lurking. I think we are at the point where it is getting harder to trigger these with over 3' of snow sitting above the facets. In my opinion the likelihood of triggering is has gotten a bit lower but the consequences are still high, big deep and unmanageable.</p> <p>I think with forecasted bluebird weather and a holiday weekend, it is a recipe for disaster.</p>
The new snow was light, generally easy breaking the old skin track. Not so easy off trail.....Breaking new trail was a wallow,