Quick report
- Aspect
- North
- Red Flags
- Poor Snowpack Structure
- Elevation
- 3261 m
- Slope Angle
- 24°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>I am putting poor snowpack structure back in the mix. It has been a while since I checked this box. However, the snow in the top 8 inches or so has regained cohesion, and it is damp. What is wild is that just a little over a week ago, this snow was fun, recycled, or "loud" powder. The snow beneath it is still dry, weak, and faceted. </p>
I am still not seeing cracking, collapsing, or propagating pit results. We still don't have an avalanche problem, but this pit displays a slab over a weak layer. The top 8 inches of snow is moist, and it was relatively easy to make a snowball. Pretty wild for late December in a high-elevation, continental mountain range. The temperature profile looks like what you would see in springtime, just before the pack goes isothermal. Note that the grain types are rounding facets throughout. Not something you would expect to see in late December with an HS of 54cm. (These are still facets, and will continue to behave like facets). We have seen very strange weather for this time of year, resulting in an odd snowpack. This makes me wonder if we will see abnormal avalanche activity with future loading events.
Snowpack
Very strange for late December. The snow surface has definitely been subjected to some greenhousing. Record warm temperatures and high, thin cloud cover have done a number on the snow. Today I found it to be full-on mashed potatoes on northerly aspects up to 11,600 feet. This snow was very difficult to make turns in, not recommended. Additionally, this snow was glopping on my skins even in the old, very well-established skin track. Wild.
The photos below tell the story of below-average snowfall, strong winds, prolonged sunshine, and record warmth.