Quick report
• Objectives were to look for recent avalanche activity, asses new snowfall and wind-loading, and examine the snowpack structure and stability in Shed 7 West. • No recent avalanche activity observed save for some minor cornice fall save for some minor cornice fall in Shed 7 West. • There was some very old debris (D1.5 size) that ran about 1000’ down Shed 7 West from the top of the path. Debris terminated well above the rail grade. No crown was visible, and we suspect this may have been a dry loose, possibly triggered by a cornice break. • Total snowfall yesterday was about 3”. Precipitation transitioned to rain on the Canyon floor in the afternoon. Total precipitation was about 0.20” water. • Strong westerly winds last night scoured the snowpack down to the uppermost crust in exposed locations. • Shallow (4-5” thick) new wind slabs had formed on leeward slopes. Ski cuts only initiated minor shooting cracks, 2-4’ long in some instances. • No audible collapses. • Dug a snow pit in the Shed 7 West path at 6600’ elevation on an ENE aspect, 27° slope. Snow depth was 35”. Stability tests provided mixed results but we found a layer that was somewhat concerning in some rounding facets resting on top of a melt-freeze crust located about 16” deep. See details in pit profile.
Weather
- Cloud Cover
- broken
- Wind Loading
- previous
- Rain Elevation
- 5000
- Recent Snowfall
- 8
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
• Broken skies, calm to light westerly winds, no precipitation. • Daytime high air temperatures reached the mid-30s °F on the Canyon floor and the mid-20s °F around 6000’.