Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
Free microdermabrasion out there today.
Multiple small natural slabs observed heading up BCC in the mineral slabs area had us on alert, as did the swirling winds. No cracking or collapsing observed on our conservative route.
Skies overcast with occasional sucker holes. Precip continued throughout the morning: light accumulation of rimed dendrites with intermittent squalls of grauppel to pelt the face and reduce wrinkles. Winds were steady 20-30 mph gusting 50 out of the S/SW.
LOTS of wind transport today. Locally variable aspect, with loading onto westerly aspects along the ridge above willow knob, while the main willow ridge line was getting blown into the monitors. Didn't muck with the big, pregnant wind drifts along the ridges, as travel on the windward scoured snow was much easier.
Surprised to not observe cracking and collapsing, but pleasantly so. Riding conditions were good, though snow density made lower-angle slopes more challenging to ride.
Bottom line: storm seems to have overdelivered re: totals, and the winds are wreaking havoc, causing widespread wind effect, scouring, and increasing hazard from wind slab formation on W-N-NE aspects. It will be interesting to see if any of that load can awake the basement facets.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Significant and ongoing wind drifting throughout the day. Snow surface becoming more consolidated in all but the most sheltered areas, with rapid formation of 4f+ wind slab ~10-15cm thick during our 3 hour tour.</p> <p>New snow totalling about 2 ft in favored/sheltered areas. Moderate density with mild density inversion and apparently good adhesion to old snow surface. Minimal sluffing in all but the steepest areas.</p>