Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Minimal poor snowpack structure in areas traveled only relegated to the upper 5 to 12 cm where there was a slight/sensitive density change from where the last part of the storm came in with graupel and rimed PP. </p>
Cornice concerns remain a top priority, and wide margins of safety appear critical for not only potentially triggering them remotely (and the avalanches they can then entrain) but also for the potential to initiate them and adversely effect others inadvertently below.
Danger appeared to be Moderate in areas traveled and with the winds forecast to not escalate, the Danger for Sunday appears to be Moderate with isolated concerns for Wind Slabs at upper elevations and mid elevation steep terrain features.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Wind slab development observed in the upper elevations off of exposed ridge lines, yet no travel in those zones to validate sensitivity and reactivity. Decreasing winds may have inhibited further development, yet lingering issues may be suspect on Sunday. </p> <p>Widespread sensitive/reactive shallow wind slabs easily triggered with slope cuts on steep terrain features. See above for stratigraphy issues. These may settle out a bit on Sunday, but in areas where confinement of potential debris exists, this issue will remain a concern to address with appropriate terrain management skills and interventions. </p>
Incredible/superb riding on all aspects and elevations except in the most exposed terrain. Solar a non-issue and no crust formation except in the lower elevations on southerlies. Bottomless riding in the new snow with old snow surface of graupel from earlier in the week providing an excellent rebounding base.