Snowpack

Observation: Scotties Bowl

L. DunnSalt Lake
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Snowpack

The new snow was variable in its distribution with generally more snow at lower elevations and less the higher up one traveled.  The new snow was deep enough to prevent bottom feeding on the lower angle slopes and especially on northerly aspects.  On west facing slopes we could feel a crust in the steepest terrain.  It helped to ski just on the north side of trees to avoid the crust.   The new snow generally bonded very well with the old surface on the north aspects.  On the steeper west aspects we were triggering moderate sized sluffs.  There appeared to be no slab in the new snow in the generally wind sheltered areas where we skied.  We saw no cracking or other signs of instability except for the aforementioned sluff from skiing and one point release in very steep terrain (photo below).