Quick report
- Red Flags
- Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Neither of these red flags were an immediate threat. I experienced a couple localized collapses but this was due to the hollowness around bushes. This is pretty common in the early season.</p> <p>Poor snowpack structure is more of a concern for down the road. The 6 inches of new low density snow was still much weaker than the older faceted snow. In other words, there is no slab, everything is right side up with stronger snow at the base and the weakest snow on the surface. However, we will continue to pay attention to the buried faceted snow.</p>
This was my first real field day out on the Manti Skyline. I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. I had anticipated a much weaker snowpack. I suspect the area I visited is not representative of the majority of the terrain. After a few more outings, I should have a handle on the spatial variability of the snowpack along the Skyline.
Snowpack
Low density new snow otherwise known as powder.