Quick report
- Cracking
- specific
- Collapsing
- specific
Overall, snow height and snowpack makeup varies, even within the same slope.
Yesterday's skin track was already either filled in or left scoured by wind. Breaking trail was difficult in many places as soft wind slabs lie atop F - 4F new snow from this last week. Some areas were scoured, and some had hard wind slabs atop F - 4F new snow. Despite the makeup, propagating cracks were isolated and collapses were localized. It was fairly evident that a northerly wind had moved through the area recently and redistributed snow. Increasing SW winds in the afternoon were moving snow around as well.
It was hard to view the large, alpine slopes around due to the incoming stormcell and flat light. However, I did manage to observe some recently snowed on debris piles, and one fresh, natural wind slab. The high alpine looked heavily textured on exposed slopes.
Localized collapsing whilst traveling through shallow areas with soft slabs of snow sitting on top of bushes laced with DH. Small amounts of crack propagation in wind drifts, located in open areas on all elevations 7500 - 10600.Weather
- Cloud Cover
- scattered
- Wind Loading
- moderate
- Recent Snowfall
- trace
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
It was clear skies and warm at the TH with direct sun. A storm cell rolled in early afternoon and sat over Morrison through rest of afternoon. Visibility was in and out, SW winds increased, and light to moderate blowing snow was visible. It was very evident northerly winds had come through the area and affected snow surfaces. It felt bitterly cold at elevation with wind chill.
Snowpack
7600' neutral/N aspect: HS: 30 - 55 cm of new snow. Snow is settling, but is atop bushes. Snow has been wind affected, sporradically. Sometimes supportable, sometimes easy to sink into bushes.
8500' neutral/N aspect: HS: 50 - 90 cm. ECTP1. Variable wind slab thicknesses @ top of snowpack, and beneath new snow. See pit below.
Variable snowpack depths due to wind affect (scouring and loading). Places with hard wind slabs and soft slabs.
10600' N aspect, protected: HS 65 - 125 cm. ECTPX, CT11 above MFcr on small facets. Below MFcr is DH. DH is interlaced between ground anchors such as bushes and rocks in places. See pit below.