Red Lady Glades

Today's objective was to get a closer look at the recent large avalanche in Red Lady Glades and assess the distribution of the rime-crust that formed on December 28th. We triggered isolated collapses on our ascent, primarily on East-facing terrain features. The rime-crust is widespread, buried ~4-6" deep in protected areas, and generally supportable to skis but not boots. Deeper in the snowpack, a stout melt-freeze crust exists on South aspects though this crust weakens as one moves towards more Easterly-facing terrain. The recent (12/28 or 12/29) Red Lady Glades avalanche appears to have broken on very weak facets below this crust on an East aspect. 

Isolated collapses occurred as we ascended, primarily on East-facing terrain features, and some low angled Southerly-facing slopes where crusts were thin due to those low angles.

Below treeline, ~4-6" of new, low-density snow sat atop a widespread rime-crust from Saturday 12/28. Near treeline, recent winds have scoured the most exposed windward terrain features. In these locations, the rime-crust was the snow surface. Protected areas held new snow atop the rime-crust, though less (up to ~4") than below treeline. The rime-crust is generally supportable to skis but not to boots. Minor wind-effect and light transport onto leeward features was observed.

Deeper in the snowpack, there is a widespread melt-freeze crust (buried last week). This crust is stronger on true South aspects and grows weaker as one moves towards more Easterly-facing terrain features.