Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>As I mentioned strong winds were moving snow up high and in exposed areas at mid elevations.</p>
In our travels we noted low elevation trailhead melting out, but still an acceptably deep snowpack as we gained elevation.
In sheltered terrain there is an even coating of snow from the last storm, but it is firm underneath. The snow seems like it has bonded well to this firm crust, but with a substantial load it may act as a slick, connected bed surface for avalanches failing within the new snow.
The wind is doing its worst, blowing from the S and SW, with new snow moving in, I would expect touchy avalanche conditions in areas with wind drifted snow.
Winds cranking off of Mt. Watson.
Wind scouring on Bald Moutain.
The photo above shows how in the alpine, a relatively planer slope can have thin weak points, right next to deep, strong areas. These are the areas that you might find the trigger point of a PWL avalanche.
Andy making the best of our shallow cream.
The montain pass roads and trailheads are getting thin, but a little patience and a few pulls to cool the machines down are all ya need!
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>With snow available for transport and winds to move it, this was our number one concern. We noted evidence of some small crowns in steep terrain that look to have released naturally during this wind event. Throw new snow in the mix, and the danger for this problem will continue to rise.</p> <p>Although the PWL problem is trending towards dormancy, we are still keeping it on our radar with an increased load from wind loading and new snow. Steep, thin, rocky, norttherly terrain at upper elevations is where this problem may still lie. </p>
There was an even coat of 4-6" of medium density snow from the last little storm. Underneath the new snow was a stiff melt freeze crusts on all aspects we traveled on. Travel is good and supportable, riding is utilitarian.