Quick report
Despite obvious weather "red flags," we saw few direct signs of instability. We avoided leeward, wind exposed terrain and slopes over 35 degrees. We observed no avalanches on a handful of pieces of terrain, 35-45deg, that have produced avalanches in similarly intense storms in the past.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 32
- Cloud Cover
- obscured
- Wind Loading
- moderate
- Rain Elevation
- 4,400ft
- Recent Snowfall
- 48
- Snow Avail For Transport
- large amounts
Winds were strong with extreme gusts. Generally, out of the west with some variable periods. Moist heavy snow limited drifting. Heavy snowfall all day with rates tapering 1-2p. At pass elevation, HST accumulation was <15cm and wet. Last measurement of HST >5,000ft was at 2p.
Snowpack
Tests revealed that HST was generally well-bonded. Moist snow below 4,900ft, heavy at all elevations where we traveled.
4480ft, S 9:45a- HN24 26cm, moist. With informal, kick-turn tests, HST on slid on 2/24 crust on 40deg slopes but stubborn. In open terrain, the crust was slick, very hard, and frozen.
5240ft, SW, 11:30- HN24 ~35cm, hand shears found no results in new snow. in an opening in the trees, 2/24 crust was moist, only 1F hard, and not frozen.
5,280ft, N- 12:30p: HN24 41cm on the 2/24 crust. In open terrain, the crust was frozen, but crumbly and weak (1F-1F+) and included some small, 0.5mm facets. Early Feb crust down 74cm, but didn't have overlying facets. Tilt test results were easy to moderate and non-planar on the 2/24 crust. CTE (RP) down 36cm in HST. 2p, same location: HN24 48cm .
Avalanche
No observed avalanches. We talked to a party who skied 40deg terrain on NE side of ridge and saw some sluffing.