Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Early report from Pioneer of a wind slab most likely wasn't the one of this kind today. Route traveled did not yield any observations of any other slides, yet the high PI from the event yesterday most like also created density changes in the new snow that may have been sensitive as well. Poor snowpack structure out of the upper Cottonwoods once again confirmed with snow pit yielding these results: 115 HS, NNE, 9550', 28 degrees, CT28 SC in the DH just above the October rain crust. Rain crust 10 cm with 20 cm of slightly rounding 2.5 mm facets above it, and this is where the failure occurred. See photo of facets. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Most like found at upper elevation on exposed terrain. </p> <p>Multiple reactive layers observed in tests, with a buried NSF layer at 45 cm down, and a much more sensitive/reactive layer of seemingly buried nsf's at 60 cm down. Basal facets the biggest concern, yet not enough load to be an issue at this point. </p>
Excellent riding in sheltered areas with the latest pre-frontal winds appearing to have done a good job at erasing the old tracks. All aspect rode well and the southerlies did not get adversely effected by the solar due to the cold temps and low angle sun. Wind damage up high.