Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Wind Loading was obviously the main Red Flag today with visible Transport occurring from 0900 on, and Increasing in Danger throughout the day. Poor Snowpack Structure holding a minimal concern with Moderate Shears in Recrystallized Grauple 35 cm down. This Problem is very spotty and has a wide Spatial Variability. The most pronounced observance of it was at 9700 feet on a 40 degree North Facing aspect. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>As previously described Active Wind Loading was Widespread on exposed Ridgelines and Channeled Terrain Features. Hard Slab development was continuing to occur throughout the day and still at Sunset hours. </p> <p>With each passing day of no Avalanche Activity reported, the potential for Mid Pack weaknesses dissipates, yet Snow Pit Tests continue to identify Lingering Weak Layers. Though these test appear to indicate a lack of reactivity, it may still be possible to find Isolated areas in very steep terrain that may be active. As the Wind Loading continues to possibly overburden certain N and NE aspects, this problem may become more of an issue; yet with Hard Slab development the areas capable of triggering one of these Slabs becomes more Isolated. As always with Harder Slabs, the tendency to trigger one may occur further down the slope than expected.</p> <p>With no Naturals observed today the Danger appeared to Moderate, and most likley it will remain that way for Wednesday. </p>
Despite the Wind velocities, Riding Conditions were excellent, and with the temperatures warming today, the turning was improved from yesterday with faster conditions allowing for Moderate to Low Angle Riding to be much more enjoyable. Besides the Main Section of the Wolverine Bowl, the Winds did not adversely affect any of the other Terrain. Creamy bottomless conditions were found on many aspects. And, once again the Southerly aspects held up from getting damp and crusting. South Faces rode as well as all other aspects. Knife to Pencil Hard Wind Slabs were observed in the Upper Elevation Exposed Terrain and especially right off the Ridgelines. These Slabs were up to 14 inches thick in places and exhibiting minimal cracking. Sastrugi and Wind Sculpting was found on many Leeward exposures.