Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Wind Loading, Cracking, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>The knob at the top of GE Hill that frequently produces natural avalanches did so again in this cycle. Visibility was tough, but looks like it was likely in the past two days. Whumphing continues to be a very frequent occurrence, including continued whumphs during subsequent trips up the same skin track. Wind was easily transporting snow, and closer to the ridgeline the tracks we put in on the first lap were mostly or completely blown in a few hours later. </p>
Did several hasty pits at 8,775 feet, west-facing, 22 degree slope. All failed on isolation. Failing on a crust about 30 cm from the ground, the top 60 cm - 70 cm of snow collapsing each time.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>On west-facing around 8,500 feet to 9,000 feet, the base was rotten everywhere. Frequent whumphing, natural avalanches on the same aspect. The signs are pretty clear.</p>
The fresh snow was fast and easy to ski. The base was supportive on turns, but pole plants were still quite happy to go to the ground. Average of 100 cm total depth, so those poles could get pretty short quickly. Boot penetration to the ground during transitions is still the norm.