Quick report
After a couple cups of coffee I went to over to the west crest to check on snow conditions and make some turns. To my surprise only a small amount of snow melt occurred at the lower elevations (6900-7400ft) and net positive above 7400ft. It was a balmy morning, mostly in the clouds and had a moist microwave oven feel to the air. Upon reaching 7800 I witnessed some natural loose wet / roller ball activity. Matter a fact, I witnessed 5-6 separate (less than D1) loose wets occur on the same slope (SE/below 8000k). All of which were triggered by snow falling off trees or rock. Not impressive in size but a surprise to me none the less given they were running a good distance downslope. As I moved up in the terrain, new snow amounts increased (up to 25cm), the snow was extremely dense and supportable. No signs of instability in the skin track just the action I witnessed earlier. In hoping for a clearing in the thick cloud cover I decided to dig a snow pit to see what was up. Data and obs as follows: - NE Aspect, 8200ft - HS 100cm - CTM ( SC ) x 2 on PWL down 85cm - ECTX - PST 49/100 (End) on PWL down 85cm 2 big takeaways from today: -The PWL(s) in this area have gained significant strength (moist and clumping) but snowpack tests show that initiation and propagation still remain likely. -Also after witnessing the "loose wet" action, I did some small ski cuts and was able to easily release several D1 loose wets on steep NE facing terrain.
Weather
- Air Temp
- above freezing
- Cloud Cover
- obscured
- Wind Loading
- none
- Rain Elevation
- 7800
- Recent Snowfall
- 25cm
- Snow Avail For Transport
- none