Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
We traveled on the north sides of Shuksan Arm and skied the White Salmon. The snow on the arm was stable, cold, and deep. There are many holes and tree wells to be wary of enroute. The snow on White Salmon was over 2 feet of cold unconsolidated snow on top of a denser layer, overlying colder snow. The snow pack was fairly stable, but midway up the climb we noticed isolated cracking and occasional breaking of the top 2-3 inches into large platters of snow. It was not concerning enough to turn around. Nearing the ridge, we encountered the same 2.5ish feet of snow atop a much firmer layer. We proceeded with extra caution. Winnie Slide had a similar situation but an even firmer layer beneath the new snow. Only one sign of instability occurred on the ski down when a skier triggered a D1-1.5 on an unsupported slope.