Quick report
We found anywhere from 1-2.5 feet of snow on the ground. On slopes previously scoured by strong December winds, last week's snow fell on bare ground or a thin complex of icy crusts. In other areas, we found weak snow near the ground below recent storm snow. At times, the distribution of these buried weak layers felt random, but poking a pole in the snow, or in hand pits, the east side of the shoulder seemed to harbor more snow above buried weak layers.
With clear skies, we had a good view of many southerly slopes in the forecast area. We did not see any recent avalanches. To our east, near the Punk Spines, we thought we could see a small old crown and debris pile. This likely was an old slide that happened during last week's storm, or older yet from December winds.
Stability seemed fair where we traveled, with no signs of cracking or collapsing on buried weak layers—especially where the snow surface was soft and untouched by wind.
Weather
- Cloud Cover
- scattered
- Wind Loading
- none
- Recent Snowfall
- 2
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
Mostly cloudy skies became partly cloudy by late afternoon. Winds were mostly calm at the ridgetop. Temperatures cooled quickly as the sun set.
Snowpack
We found anywhere from 25-85 cm of snow on the ground at about 3800'. Previously wind wind-loaded NE slopes harbored the deepest snow at about 85cm, with lesser amounts on SW and in the N chute below the ridge. In many places, last week's snow fell on the ground or early-season ice and crusts. In isolated areas, we found old faceted snow near the ground below recent snowfall.
Without the influence of wind, the snowpack was breakable and upside down, and many of our turns exposed bare ground or the vegetation below.