Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
- Collapsing
- isolated
Variable & constant moderate winds from the E > NE > N throughout the day near and above tree line. E and NE aspects were a mix of firm/scoured heavily deposited snow from previous storm cycles, and fresh wind slabs due to active crossloading. Sastrugi regularly observed on all E > NE > N aspects, with observations made as far down as below tree line on N aspects. On an E aspect, our group did observe a few 2-3ft long shooting cracks in this freshly wind affected snow near 7100ft, as well as a few small wind slabs breaking beneath our skis at a depth of 5-7". Slabs were isolated with minimal propagation and did not run a substantial distance down the fall line. Later in the day a few pin wheels were observed on steeper N aspects. Stomped a few low-consequence cornices above and below tree line without result. Snow pit data: - Dug on a sheltered 27deg NE facing slope at ~7000ft with no appreciable recent wind loading - HS: >415cm (didn’t reach the ground) - 15cm recent storm snow - 3cm thick crust @ 60cm depth - CT28 on pencil hard crust @ 60cm depth - ECTX - Able to pull columns away from slope w/ shovel with mod/heavy force, Q3 on aforementioned crust PS: I'm a snowmobile owner myself, but please stop riding sleds beyond the wilderness boundary, friends. This is the second time this season I've witnessed snowmo tracks well beyond the boundary line in this area.