Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
Lots of snow movement and drifting on the road heading up to my 5300' starting zone, since Friday. Foggy and no wind, except a minor breeze on ridgeline. Tree bombs had caused some sluffing of the top 8", which on the steeper road bank slid to the road (photo). The new and drifted snow was lighter than it has been for a week or two. Until I got up above about 6,000' there was no cracking under skis, just a light 12"+ to break trail through. I started pole/hand shears early on given the early warning signs. There's about 8" of fluff on top of the first crust layer. The next crust is around 20" (50cm) and it is sensitive to isolation. Out of numerous pole/hand shears I never got the back of the block cut without it failing on the 20" crust first. (Warning #2 if you're keeping track.) I was surprised to not see wind pack on the ridgeline. While there were drifts, they were smooth and soft. I stuck to N NW and W NW aspects in the trees for my runs. Sluffing off of turns was as expected, except for a couple that ran quite a ways down slope. (50'-75' vertical )I tend to ski a pitch and then cut out to safety, take a look-see, and take the next pitch, cut to a safety zone...Especially on steeper pitches I try never to stop right below where I just skied, just in case a snow dragon was following. Summarizing, the snow was really great, but not trustworthy with the 20" layer being so reactive. Again, the upper layers are bridging sufficiently while skiing, but snow tests show it is not to be trusted. Side note: Some sleds had gone up the road I ride my machine up and did a bit of side-hilling and even a couple mini-highmarks without any noticeable consequences, even though they clearly broke through the 20" crust. Hmm. Basic safety rules: one at a time on slope; know what's above and below you at all times; always have an escape route; have a plan and stick to the plan.