Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Drifts were 5 to 15 cms (2" to 6"). Most were not sensitive, although some did crack out from my skis. Given the gusty winds, I am not expecting widespread wind drifts, and any fresh wind drifts to be mostly pockets at primarily upper elevations.</p>
First outing of the year, so especially curious how the buried facets looked, and if the layer reactive. Although I did not get any higher than 10K, I was finding the faceted layer to be about 5-10 cms (2-4") on northerly aspects. On slopes with dirt at the base, the facets were moist.
Stability tests on several quick pits could not produce any failure in this faceted layer. At best I was getting Q3 shears at the interface of the 11/17 and 11/23 storms. ECTX.
Overall was finding a decent-looking snowpack in upper LCC. Storm snow instabilities have settled out, and the faceted layer does not look problematic as its relatively thin and not connecting larger slopes. Will be nice to see us get another good thumping of snow and not see any reactivity at this layer. Am generally feeling pretty good about our initial snowpack!
Only avalanche problem going forward are the winds ahead of the expected Saturday night system.
Avalanche hazard mostly Low, with some upper elevations Moderate where there is recent wind loading.
Snowpack
Noticing 30-60 cm (12-24") snowpack above 9K with most slopes holding about 45 cms (18") Some faceting noted on the snow surface in wind-protected areas, though given pre-frontal winds I don't think this will be an issue at all in starting zones.