Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>No collapsing or cracking the past two days. Very poor overall snowpack structure but no overt evidence of instability. </p>
Photo of soft cold snow in the shelter areas and wind affects on the upper ridges. Video of the rotten snow pack 31 inches (80cm) at 7500 ft. on a sheltered north slope.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>The Rodeo ridge area yesterday seemed to have weaker snow with larger facets deep in the snow pack than just a few miles to the north today, could be just sampling error however. I did multiple ECT's at various elevations in both areas with no propagation. I believe we are still waiting for a larger/stronger slab to tip the scales. You may be able to find that on a steep wind loaded slope presently. 34 years of the birthday bowls on January 18th found one of the top four lowest snow depths and one of weakest. </p>
Nice fast, recrystalized powder in the shade. Wind crusted on exposed ridges especially above 8000ft.