Lost Trail Backcountry

Lots of new snow today! 8-10" of heavier snow (10-11% density) fell on top of the yesterday's 2". Snow continued throughout the day with the heaviest accumulation the previous night and into the morning. Temps stayed below 29F at the pass and felt colder with the wind chill. Winds were active and swirled around. Winds at ridgeline blew strong from the SW-W-NW, while below ridgeline did not have a consistent direction or loading pattern. At one point, we observed evidence of upslope SSE wind loading. We experienced several instances of whumphing and cracking, mostly in wind-loaded terrain. We performed several stability tests along the way: - SE aspect @ 7,800ft: Quick pit to the ground revealed ~15cm of faceted melt forms at the base with weaker facets above and facets at 30cm. - E aspect @ 7,800ft: CT failed on isolation (CTV @ 10cm Q3) on facets above melt forms at the ground. Melt forms were beginning to round, but weaker facets persisted above. HS = 65cm and was not wind-loaded. An ECT at this location produced ECTP15 on the same layer. - E aspect @ 7,800ft: ECTP7 @ 45cm on a layer of facets and surface hoar. HS = 85cm and was lightly wind-loaded. - E aspect @ 7,800 ft: 30/100 End @ 45cm on facets/surface hoar. We traveled cautiously due to obvious signs of instability and rapidly changing conditions. My primary concerns are the facets and surface hoar formed after the Nov 29 storm cycle, as well as the facets above ground-level melt forms at upper elevations. These ground melt forms appear limited to areas that held snow in early November and vary in reactivity, while the deeper buried facets and surface hoar appear more widespread. I am particularly cautious in wind-loaded terrain, where a consolidated slab may have formed, and will continue to be cautious as temps begin to rise this week and more snow is added to the snowpack.

Quick report