Quick report
25cm of low density storm snow on a supportable melt freeze crust made for great skiing. We had our eyes on skiing some steeper slopes today, but our test results persuaded us to stick to less consequential terrain. No wind slab was observed even near ridges. A group near us reported a small soft slab avalanche, details below. Small (D.5) dry loose snow avalanches on steep slopes. Not enough slab quality in the storm snow for cracking.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 28
- Cloud Cover
- obscured
- Wind Loading
- none
- Rain Elevation
- 5600
- Recent Snowfall
- 25cm
- Snow Avail For Transport
- large amounts
Moderate to light snow showers, light to calm winds from the SW, temps 28 to 30 degrees F.
Snowpack
20-25 cm of storm snow on a supportable melt freeze crust. Very little slab quality in the storm snow even on exposed ridges. We performed two test pits and got propagating results with extended column tests in both sites. On a NW aspect at 7000 feet on a 35 degree slope our propitiating result was down 45cm just below a 5cm thick crust (ECTP22). On a NE aspect at 7000 feet and 35 degree slope we got a similar propagating result on the same crust down 40cm (ECTP15). These failures were occurring between two melt freeze crusts that were separated by a 2-3cm thick layer of decomposing particles. Our best guess is that these two separate crusts formed between the warm sunny days and snow showers we received between 1/25 and 1/28. We also got a propagating result in the second test pit location mentioned down 130cm on the 1/4 layer (ECTP29).
Avalanche
One Soft slab, D1 was reported by another party. West aspect, 7200 foot elevation. Storm slab likely sliding on the melt freeze crust buried on 2/1. The slope is a short pitch around 35 degrees. Crown height estimated at 8-10 inches, length 40 feet, running 100 vertical feet or less.