Snowpack

Beaver Creek

Elana SelingerSouthern Madison Range
View on map
Observation photo 1Observation photo 2Observation photo 3Observation photo 4

Quick report

Cracking
isolated

We found that the ~30cm of facets on top of the snowpack sloughed off easily in steep terrain. We also observed cracking and propagation under the weight of our skis in the wind slab throughout the day. We triggered R1, D1 loose snow avalanches within the near-surface facets. We saw several older, loose snow avalanches -- wet loose and roller balls on solar aspects and dry loose on shaded aspects.

Weather

Cloud Cover
clear
Wind Loading
previous
Recent Snowfall
0
Snow Avail For Transport
moderate amounts

Snowpack

There are lots of facets deeper down, but the concerning layer is near the top of the snowpack. In several areas there is up to 30cm+ of Fist hard near-surface facets, and in some areas, these are covered by a thin wind slab. These near-surface facets are well developed and will be a future problem layer when we get more snow. For now, the wind slab is small and present on isolated slopes.