Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Snow pack observations in the upper Cottonwoods continues to support the assumption that the structure is turning around and healing. Pit dug on N aspect at 9500 feet with slope angle of 24 degrees indicated that the preexisting mid pack sensitive layers are becoming significantly less reactive. The graupel layer of concern is strengthening as well as the buried NSF's from early in December that were noted and observed just 5 days prior. Storm Slab reactive density interfaces from the past 4 days of snow fall continue to show signs of sensitivity; and small loose dry avalanches/sluffs were still an problem/issue today on steep terrain. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>No sensitive fresh wind slabs were encountered in our travels, yet the data from the remote weather stations in the upper elevation exposed terrain appeared to indicate a distinct possibility for this issue. </p> <p>See above regarding Loose Dry Avalanches. The frigid temperatures may keep this issue alive on very steep terrain, yet overall this issue should be decreasing. </p> <p> </p> <p>Despite the presence of Persistent Slab Avalanches, the fact remains that the snow pack structure outside of the upper Cottonwoods is suspect in the shallower snow pack regions. In the upper Cottonwoods repeater slide paths also remain suspect, as well as very steep rocky terrain features. </p>
Periods of light density snowfall at S1 rates overnight with 8 cm in the past 24 hours. New snow keeps adding up in a right side up overall snowpack. Exposed NW, N and NE upper elevation terrain had areas of wind sculpting. Wind slabs were observed on NE ridge lines. Overall, the vast majority of the terrain has excellent mid winter bottomless riding.