Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Cracking, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Numerous huge, booming collapses on northeast through northwest aspects, as well as all along ridgeline above the Monitors.</p>
Got a collapse that fractured and spider-webbed a slope facing northeast through northwest. The fracture lines from the collapse traversed approximately 500', failing on a layer of facets down 50 cms (20") just above the October rain crust. Clearly an indication that any avalanche may be connected widely across terrain, leading to large and dangerous avalanches.
Dug a quick pit on the slope that fractured and got a full propagation upon isolation of ECT, failing down 50 cms on layer of facets, with 4F slab on top. ECTPV
Any steep terrain facing northwest through east is suspect as the Thanksgiving storm snow now sits on top of the facets preserved underneath the storm snow. Aspect makes all the difference in the world right now, and fortunately southerly aspects are beginning to fill in somewhat, providing a safer riding alternative than northerly aspects.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Persistent weak layer which is now buried down 45-60 cms (18-24") - if not deeper in wind-loaded areas - is still reactive. Traveling up through the Willows on southerly aspects where the hazard was Low as there was no snow prior to the Thanksgiving storm. Once I got onto shady, northerly terrain, much different storm with huge collapses.</p>
HS on south aspects in Willows is 30 cms (12") and 75-90 cms (30-36") on northerly aspects. Due south got damp in the strong sun.