Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Cracking, Collapsing, Rapid Warming, Poor Snowpack Structure
Started my sufferfest/tour at around 1100 this morning under clear skies and high temps. Getting up above 9000' this afternoon, there was every different type of snow from windslab to facets to various crusts. It looks like the snow has been going through some pretty intense temperature swings with it being well above freezing during the day and temps plummeting at night. This has made it so the snowpack is all facets with a melt/freeze crust a couple inches thick and in some areas there is windslab on top of this crust.
To put it mildly, the skiing is not good. If this area ever sees a good load of snow this season (one can dream), then I would suspect there will be widespread avalanche activity.
Please don't park in front of the gates at trailheads. It is illegal and if SAR has to conduct a rescue, this delays their response time significantly.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Below 9000' there is not consistent snow and on south facing aspects at most elevations there is little to no snow. Even above 9000' where there is consistent snow, the snow depth ranges between 25-75cm. The snow make up is pretty consistently all facets with a 2-5" melt/freeze or wind crust on top. There really isn't that much snow and it is unlikely that it will slide. </p>