Quick report
- Cracking
- specific
- Collapsing
- specific
Today, forecasters visited the Eddy Mountains to observe storm conditions, new snow totals, and evaluate the buried layer of facets. Since yesterday afternoon, a foot of low-density new snow has fallen near and below treeline. Red flags including, shooting cracks, collapsing, heavy snowfall, and strong winds were present. Active snow transport and the swaying of mature trees were observed from moderate to strong southeast winds. We dug a pit at 6,700 feet on a northeast aspect, where we found 90 cm of right-side-up storm snow above 10 cm of weak facets. Stability tests yielded unstable results in both an ECT and PST (see photos). Travel was arduous, both on machine and foot. Expert level riding conditions exist and are not for the faint of heart. We avoided all avalanche terrain.
The snowpack is experiencing rapid change. And with it, sings of instability. On our ascent, we caused a large shooting crack, and two notable collapses that sounded like rolling thunder. Luckily, we weren't on a slope steep enough to slide. This feedback told us that the snowpack was reactive and unsafe!Weather
- Air Temp
- 29
- Cloud Cover
- obscured
- Wind Loading
- moderate
- Rain Elevation
- 6,000
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
Today was a storm day. Snow fell at a rate of one inch per hour, accompanied by below freezing temperatures, and moderate to strong southeast winds. Visibility was poor.
Snowpack
A lot of new weight has been added to the snowpack. While the structure has trended back to a right-side-up state, weak faceted snow at the bottom, remains a concern.