Quick report
We left top patrol a little after 2:00 pm with the intention of assessing snow coverage at the entrance and exit to the cirque, along with snow depths in the inner basin, and any evidence of wet loose avalanches from 48 hours prior. We skinned from the end of spur catwalk to the Humphrey's saddle via Sundance and Sugarbowl ridge. We reached the saddle at approximately 3:00 pm where temperatures were in the mid-40s and winds were moderate with the occasional strong gust. We were able to skin from the ski area to the saddle by walking over the occasional talus section, exposed log or grassy area. The skinning conditions were not convenient, the snowpack is thinning rapidly and our suspicion was this might be the last day to be able to ski from the saddle back to the ski area.
Ski conditions on our southwest lap in the cirque were mixed. The upper half of the descent was wet, sloppy, and heavy snow, and from mid-slope down we skied well formed corn, that was slightly past its "time of day" prime. Snow depths in the cirque ranged from 70-130 cms on NE, E and SE slopes. South facing slopes in the cirque are melting quickly. Surface layers were starting to refreeze by the time we were exiting the cirque. Through the cirque we saw rollerballs, likely from mid-afternoon Tuesday, but for today, no signs of instability were noted.
From the saddle we traversed and made slow turns down the mountain moving cautiously and stepping through the occasional thin patch, doing our best to work the NW aspect. Despite this cautious approach we eventually encountered patches of bare ground that necessitated a 1/4 mile walk, until coverage improved near the ski area boundary.
What was a very short and abbreviated season is rapidly dissapearing. Creative route-finding and touring planning will be needed to make the most of what might be the final weekend of backcountry skiing, that is, unless you're willing to suffer on the egress and regress.
No signs of instability in the last 24 hours. Large roller balls likely from Tuesday were present throughout the cirque.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 43
- Cloud Cover
- broken
- Wind Loading
- none
- Rain Elevation
- N/A
- Recent Snowfall
- None
- Snow Avail For Transport
- none
Overcast and broken skies with intermittent sun, ridgeline winds were blustery, generally out of the SW and moderate with strong gusts. Winds were light in the cirque and BTL.
Snowpack
Snowpack has generally been found to be isothermic below 11,500 on all but N. facing slopes. In most locations hardness is 1F to 4F, however today on south facing slopes below treeline, the snowpack was saturated and F throughout its entirety--punchy . . . not fun.