Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>The weak layer of faceted snow remains the biggest concern in my mind. We found this layer to be the weakest, about 40 cm above the ground. These facets are still very dry, fist hardness and striated grains 2-4 mm in size.</p> <p> </p> <p>The old snow from October and November starts to show up around 8,000' in elevation and is roughly 1" think on the ground. As you gain elevation the weak layer gets thicker and thicker.</p> <p> </p> <p>For now, the slab continues to build on top of this poor structure, and the snowpack should not be trusted. We only traveled on slopes less than 30° in steepness with nothing steep above it.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>
The snow surface has taken a beating from the wind at the mid and upper elevations. In places, the wind stripped the snow down to old crusts. In other places, the wind made rock-hard crusts. It's a mixed bag out there. However, in wind-sheltered terrain, the riding conditions were excellent.