Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>It was good weather for natural avalanches to happen, lots of wind, heavy snow and a weak snow pack. I did not see any of the steep, higher terrain, but I would imagine the area experienced a natural avalanche cycle. </p>
The trail groomer had just been through this area not too long before I came through and the wind was already drifting the trail back in. A very windy day even into low elevations.
At mid elevations the new snow was easily failing at the old snow interface with moderate taps on the column from the elbow. Once the new storm slab fails, I think the potential for an avalanche to step down into old weak snow is quite possible.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>With plenty of wind over the last 24 hours many slopes have likely become overloaded with heavy dense wind drifted snow. </p> <p>I was finding most of the instability today in the new snow, but I did not get into higher terrain where wind and more snow have likely overloaded many slopes. Once the new snow fails I think there is a good chance it will step down or gouge into old weak snow. </p>
The riding and turning conditions have greatly improved out side of the wind affected terrain. At the mid-elevations it was nearly over the hood riding and many of the hazards are now buried.