Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
We were pleasantly surprised to observe 10-20 cm (4-8") new snow within recent 48 hours. Active wind loading above 7000' from S/SW winds. Somewhat surpised to see propagation in pit on W aspect. Solar aspects may be harboring weaker snow adjacent to 02/01 crust complex. Density inversions within recent snow were similar to what we have previously seen. North pit revealed rightside up snowpack resting atop 02/01 crust complex. No recent avalanche activity observed, visibility was limited for most of the day. Solar aspects below 7500' had a thin MF crust around 20 cm (8") down. New snow on solar aspects was becoming impacted by brief amounts of solar radiation later in the afternoon.
Wind loading on N and NE aspects. Prevailing winds were S/SW, but local terrain influenced obscure wind directions with winds coming upslope on a north aspect.Weather
- Cloud Cover
- broken
- Wind Loading
- moderate
- Rain Elevation
- 5000
- Recent Snowfall
- 10-20
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
Intermittent sunshine with clouds in and out all day (mostly in). S/SW winds were actively blowing and drifting snow above 7000'. Our skin track filled back in within an hour. Aside from blowing snow, no actual precipitation in this area through 1530. Riding back down the road we hit a squall of rain/snow (5500'), then rain (5300'), then snow (5100'). Heavy snow showers persisted for at least an hour.
Snowpack
We dug two pits today. One was 7680' on a west aspect. HS was 165 cm (5.5 ft.). ECTN 12 & 13, 25 cm down. ECTN 15 &17, 53 cm down. ECTP 20 & 23, 73 cm down on rounding facets and melt forms beneath 02/01 crust complex. Second pit was at 8200', NE aspect. HS 170 cm (5.5 ft.). ECTN 15 & 17, 30 cm down. ECTN 22 & 25, 50 cm down. No propagation in pit on NE aspect.