Quick report
We traveled along mid-elevation terrain in the vicinity of Beaver Mountain to investigate snow surfaces after the recent rain/wet snow. At mid-elevations, yesterday's skiff of new snow sat atop a stout and supportable crust (photo 1). Light precip began around 11:00 AM, and the incoming storm will add more snow on top of this crust. At upper elevations, we expect this crust to be less stout and more punchy.
We dug a pit on a north-facing slope at 7600 feet and found the PWL at the base of our snowpack (photo 2). An extended column test showed no results (ECTX) and acted as one cohesive block of snow (photo 3). At upper elevations where the crust is less thick, the PWL may be easier to get results.
Coverage on west-facing slopes is very thin (photo 4, Beaver Envy).
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Travel conditions limited us to mid-elevation terrain, where evidence of wind-drifted snow was scarce. We expect this problem to exist at upper elevations where there is more snow to transport, and the hazard will increase throughout the day as the storm continues to develop.</p> <p>It was easy to find the buried PWL on NW-N-E facing slopes along our travels at mid-elevations. </p>
Yesterday's heavy new snow sat atop a stout, supportable crust that was hard to break through with our poles. The wet snow was sticking to our skins.