Quick report
- Red Flags
- Cracking, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>We observed collapsing and shooting cracks today along ridge crests in mildly wind affected terrain right at treeline. No signs of instability below treeline in wind sheltered terrain but structure beneath the recent snow is very poor - faceted through to the ground. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>In our travels today we observed soft slab formation within the recent snow up to 8" thick and they are already showing signs of reactivity on top of the old, faceted surface. Today's "storm" did not significantly contribute to a rising danger but conditions are primed for the next loading event. Sensitivity today was confined to the new snow/old snow interface, but any significant load could produce avalanches failing on a variety of faceted layers in the snowpack, including near the ground. It's literally a house of cards out there. </p> <p>First evidence of slab formation on top of weak, faceted snow. Boot penetration was near to the ground when getting off the sled. </p> <p>Cracking and slab failure along the ridge crest of a NE facing bowl right at treeline. </p> <p>This slab was actually well defined as it collapsed and was about 75' wide by 40' in length from crown to stauchwall. </p>
About an inch of new on top of Thursday's 4"-5". Mostly light winds have deposited drifts up to 8" in favored locations.