Quick report
Based on our observations and speaking with several groups, the snowpack and stability were quite good on Tronsen Ridge today. Unlike reports from other parts of the zone, we did not see any avalanche activity other than a couple of small D1 dry loose avalanches. The lack of a slab and avalanche activity was quite surprising given last night's warm storm and forecast high freezing level. We saw no evidence of rain anywhere in the area, with dry snow down to the trailhead before the sun got to it. Although the snowpack got quite damp throughout the day with the warm temperatures, a slab never really developed. We also observed minimal evidence of wind transport other than fresh cornice development on the most exposed locations.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 30
- Cloud Cover
- scattered
- Wind Loading
- light
- Rain Elevation
- below TH
- Recent Snowfall
- 16
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
The weather today featured on and off sun with very minimal wind. Other than moderate SW winds on Windy Knob in the afternoon, no significant wind was observed elsewhere.
Snowpack
The total HS of our NW pit at 5520' was 119cm. Several new snow interfaces yielded collapses in extended column tests but no propagation (ECTN11@110cm, ECTN16@103). The buried needly surface hoar layer failed with moderate force in a shovel tilt test (STM@90cm) and in an extended column test without propagation (ECTN22@90cm). Generally speaking, it seemed that we lacked a strong enough slab to propagate and create more avalanche activity. No cracking or collapsing on any slopes traveled.
Avalanche
- Size
- D1 R1
- Type
- L
- Aspect
- NE
- Trigger
- AS
- Elevation
- 5800 ft
Small dry loose triggered on a steep, wind-sheltered polar aspect, ran roughly 100ft, confined to new storm snow