Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Didn't see any new avalanches in our travels today but recent slides in the vicinity kept us well clear of any danger. One member of our group experienced a meadow collapsing. Winds were blowing from the NW and out of sheltered areas a moderately dense wind skin was noted. Compared to the strong winds effecting lower elevation tree runs earlier this week, today we were easily able to seek refuge from the wind in dense woods. Nonetheless winds were transporting snow throughout the day and an impressive amount of loading is taking place. On the lee side of a large meadow I experienced sensitive wind drifts with shooting cracks easily propagating up to 10 feet in front of me. See pictures below. </p>
New snow avalanches and persistent weak layers are just as concerning to me as wind drifted snow. Sluffing was noted in even moderate terrain running further than expected, and storm slabs remain a problem. With monster avalanches being reported along the PC ridgeline and elsewhere throughout the range, our persistent week layer problem has been unearthed and its danger is more apparent than ever. I'll be replacing constant instagram updates with continuous measurement of slope angles and vigilance as to what kind of terrain I'm eating lunch under.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Moderate winds are moving large amounts of snow and creating impressive cornices and drifts that are reactive to a skiers weight. With this much snow available for transport coupled with the sensitive drifts, I will be avoiding wind loaded terrain. </p>
The SW storms graupel event fades into distant memory the heavy snow was quickly blanketed with a fine serving of classic Utah powder. Skiing was all time today and a snorkel would have been appreciated. I measured 18" of new dry snow on top of a heavier layer.