Snowpack

Observation: West Desolation Ridge

MackaySalt Lake
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Observation photo 1

Quick report

Aspect
Northeast
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches, Cracking, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
Elevation
2804 m

Careful route finding ruled the day 65cm total snow depth New snow was right side up. Top 3-6" loose powder over 16" inches of well bonded over 2" of sugary ground facets Collapsed at 10 taps from the elbow, but block did not pull out. I ascended and traveled another slope to 9600' where evidence suggested a slide had occurred early in the storm, and had been covered up. Sticking to low angle ridges and evergreens I wasn't comfortable getting on to this slope to investigate or take photos

Snowpack

Instability Comment
<p>New snow was reactive, though most notably in the flats where collapsing was constant. On slope cracking was minimal and confined to within a few feet of skintrack. Sluffing was minimal on descent.</p> <p>Faceted sugary snow at ground level.</p>