Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading
Travel in the valleys and gullies was considerably more pleasant today than earlier in the week. Winds were largely confined to ridgetops, and S facing ridges were scoured to the bushes. Good riding conditions on settled powder and gently wind transported snow persist on Northerly slopes and in sheltered forest.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>The wind was out in force today. Despite the wind and snow clearly being thrown further into start zones than is typical, the wind effect didn't reach quite as low into the trees as it did on Mon->Tues. Start zones NE-N-NW were loading quickly, with cross-loading occurring on ridges running N-S. Hard slab was limited, with just stiff pillows near ridgelines. </p> <p>Cornices were growing in real time. I kicked the same cornice down three times today (pic 2). On the North facing ridge above Raymond's East bowl, a whopping cornice was forming, with evidence of natural cornicefall on the run below (pic 1). The magic combo would be one of these lunkers kicking off the wind slab forming below. </p>