Quick report
- Cracking
- widespread
- Collapsing
- specific
All ECT's were ECTN or X and N's seemed to just be breaking due to consolidation. The new snow had not formed a cohesive slab in the area we observed. None of this was shocking stuff. The primary concern, other than the overall lack of snow, appears to be mainly for surface instability caused once this new snow is blown into wind slabs. It seems unlikely to bond well with what is underneath. Many obvious signs of instability in the new layer of snow. Lots of shooting cracks and some collapsing on the Sherby, which was likely just from new snow sitting on vegetation.
Weather
- Air Temp
- -12 C
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- light
- Recent Snowfall
- 25
- Snow Avail For Transport
- large amounts
New snow is low density and we had very low winds.
Snowpack
Snowpack was very thin on the Sherby and we hit many rocks. Not recommended until more snow. In tucks, at 4400' in a small clearing in the shrubs, on an easterly aspect, we observed a 95-100 cm snowpack, seemingly stable and solid base, likely capable of bridging a heavy load, with 25 cm of low density snow on top. There is a 15 cm 4F weak layer at the base, but due to 60 CM of Pencil and Knife hard slab above, it was not possible to compress (even jumping on it!). Lot of low density new snow available for transport is the primary concern. Once it is blown into wind slabs, we will likely have significant instability in lee areas.
Avalanche
Very small, on the sides of trail and on rocks at the base. Nothing of concern or significance.