Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
We toured the 8302 basin. 6-10" of fresh snow rested on top of a rain/warm snow layer. The sun was intense and causing rollerballs on solar aspects near exposed rocks. The snow on these aspects was getting warm and wet. All other snow remained cold and light. A light north wind picked up as the afternoon progressed. Windslabs had formed, 6-15" thick, at the very tops of the ridges. Handshears were variable, and failing above or below the aforementioned rain/warm snow layer. Small cornices were not hard to trigger, but failed to trigger obviously wind affected snow as they fell. Ski quality was high. Isolated cracking in the skin track at very top ridgetop
Weather
- Air Temp
- not observed
- Cloud Cover
- few
- Wind Loading
- light
- Rain Elevation
- snow at valley floor
- Recent Snowfall
- 10-20cm
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
Cold, mostly clear, with Light North wind. Intense sun.
Snowpack
6-10" fresh low density snow from 01/24/2024 overnight resting on top of a higher density layer/crust, presumably formed afternoon of 01/24/2024. Windslabs 6-15" thick at top ridgetop. Handshears varied from stubborn to failing on isolation. These failed either right above, or right below the "crust" Solar radiation caused roller balls and warm wet snow on steep solar aspects. Small Natural dry loose observed @ 8000 feet, Steep North Aspect. Skiing triggered dry loose sloughs on steep East aspects. Small cornices were reactive @ ridgetop.