Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Wind Loading
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>There were pockets of soft wind slabs and drifting up to 8 inches deep, and in the areas traveled there was minimal cracking observed. Besides this issue, it was easy to initiate significant "sluff-age" on the Northerly facing slopes with angles of 38 degrees and greater. These sluffs were very manageable, yet they were running in the upper 3 to 4 inches of the snow surface and entraining more snow than would have generally been expected. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>See above regarding small isolated pockets of wind slab. </p> <p>There may be some shallow Wet Loose Avalanches on Tuesday in the new snow from Monday. </p>
The thick cloud deck kept the temperatures on the cool side, and as a result the snow surface was not able to soften up and get damp. In areas where the old tracks and crusts were firm and "chunder-like", it was tough/challenging riding. The upper ridges and upper aspects of the Northerly facing chutes and bowls were stripped of snow. In all areas above 9000 feet the new snow was not bonding well. In areas just down from the upper reaches and out of the intense winds, the riding on the North facing steeper terrain was soft, thick/creamy settled cold powder. And, actually it was good. Once the slope angles were 25 degrees or less there were crusts of varying thicknesses on all aspects and elevations. Of note: Southerly facing terrain below 9700 feet had a supportable crust that may be good riding on Tuesday once the sun comes out and softens it. Also of note, the three inches of snow and winds have appeared to help smooth out some of the terrain, and specifically the old tracks from the weekend. Hopefully, this may help the potential corn cycle that appears like it will be ripe and ready for harvest by Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. Tuesdays forecasted high of 34 at 9000 feet may not be enough to help develop thicker and more supportable crusts by Wednesday in the upper elevations.