Quick report
- Aspect
- North
- Red Flags
- Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking
- Elevation
- 3048 m
- Slope Angle
- 19°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Strong winds easily transported the low density snow. We found wind drifts 3 ft. deep in exposed areas. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Low density snow and strong winds are the perfect ingredients for forming wind slabs. Even on lower elevation slopes were the wind was less strong we still found wind drifts 1' to 3' feet deep. Wind sheltered, treed terrain offered the best visibility and best riding conditions today.</p> <p>Each time it snows the likelihood of triggering a avalanche that breaks into old snow rises. Recent heavy snowfall and strong winds are adding significant weight to our snowpack. We were not able to get failure on one of the deeply buried weak layers within 30 taps, however giving the column a few extra taps did produce failure on the deeper buried weak layers.</p> <p>On storm days, or the first clear day after the storm moves out, I stick to lower angle slopes to get a feel for the snow. I'll ride on small tests slopes to see how the snow reacts to the weight of me and my machine. I try to notice if the snow is cracking or breaking off as one big piece. It's quick and easy and I can usually do this on my ride out just by sidehilling on the road banks. </p>
Storm snow was low density. Riding conditions were decent. You could feel tracks and firmer snow underneath while riding.
Heavy snowfall and strong winds limited our visibility and made for difficult whiteout riding conditions.