Salt Creek Summit/Wing Ridge

There was 8” of snow at SCS.  The top 2” was light-density snow, but below that was a stout crust that was supportive.  

As we ascended in elevation, we found more new snow (12-18”) above the mid-December crust- and it became less supportive.  I noted my skis sinking deeper into the snowpack.   We experienced several localized collapsing of the snowpack below and near treeline.   We also observed increased wind loading/stripping above 7k’.  

Coverage up phat ridge was decent, but lots of obstacles are still sticking out.  The tail end of the recent storm ended cold, giving a mostly right-side-up snow situation- dense on the bottom, light on the top.  This dense snow sitting on the mid December crust kept you off the ground.

My partner and I dug a snowpit on an east aspect at 7700’.  We found a total depth of 2’ with 1’ of snow sitting above the mid-December crust.  In this location, the crust is more of a sandwich of several crusts with weak snow in between the crusts.  We did 2 extended column tests that both produced propagation within the weak snow sandwiched between crusts.  (ECTP 11, ECTP6)

The crust sandwich is sitting on a very firm crust that would act as an excellent bed surface if an avalanche were to release.  Below this pencil-hard layer, I found weak old October snow that has little cohesion and was Fist to 4F minus in harness. 

Not a great setup, but quite elevation-dependent, with recent fluctuations in the rain/snow lines.  This has created variable thickness crusts that will likely taper in thickness with elevation increase.   I am most skeptical of the setup where the crust has weak/loose/faceted snow around it, as well as where it tapers in thickness/strength.  

We turned around at this elevation and skied the ridge down, limiting our exposure to any slopes steeper than 30 degrees. 

Happy Winter everyone! 

We noted several whumphs below and near treeline.

My partner and I dug a snowpit on an east aspect at 7700’.  We found a total depth of 2’ with 1’ of snow sitting above the mid-December crust.  In this location, the crust is more of a sandwich of several crusts with weak snow in between the crusts.  We did 2 extended column tests that both showed propagation within the weak snow sandwiched between crusts.  (ECTP 11, ECTP6)

The crust sandwich is sitting on a very firm crust that would act as an excellent bed surface if an avalanche were to release.  Below this pencil-hard layer, I found weak old October snow that has little cohesion and was Fist to 4F minus in harness.  Not a great setup, but quite elevation dependent with recent fluctuating rain/snow lines.