Quick report
Photo below of new snow depth at 9600 feet. ECTX (this means the new snow didn't crack under my shovel as I tapped on it, a good sign.
Photo below of the small graupel snow crystals that made up the upper 3-4 inches of snow.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Soft slab avalanches of new snow were easily triggered on Wednesday. They mostly failed on low density snow that fell Tuesday night which was capped by dense snow that feel Wednesday. </p> <p>This instability has mostly ended as the snow has settled and bonded to itself and to the old crust underneath. </p> <p>These are great conditions to go to upper elevations for powder skiing and riding. I would not go ski mountaineering until the new snow sits for a while because the margin for error in ski mountaineering is razor thin. </p> <p>Wet snow was not a problem today and won't be on Friday, but it will be this weekend as soon as strong sunshine hits the new snow. </p>
Wednesday's snow was dense and well bonded. Instabilities from Wednesday had settled out.
Snow overnight and during the day made great conditions as it was dry and loose. The upper 3-4 inches was mostly graupel and would sluff easily.
Below 9000 feet the snow was taking some heat.