Snowpack

Observation: Birch Creek

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Quick report

Aspect
Northwest
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Elevation
2804 m
Slope Angle
33°
Red Flags Comment
<p>The forecast for hours of gusts in the 30 mph range Monday is an attention getter. Despite the warmth, crust and heavy snow, the winds were finding very fine sand-like grains somewhere and they were easily transported Sunday afternoon. This afternoon the wind was constant from the west on the South Skyline ridgeline, swirling but not oppressive 1,000 feet below the ridge. Winds tomorrow will increase the danger before the new snow falls. </p>

Dug a pit on 33 degree NW facing at 9,200 feet. Total depth 180 cm, graupel layer 15 cm down. A 4F weak layer about 100 cm down, then back to 1F/P. Final 40 cm loose grains, but gaining strength. ECTN. Almost impossible to budge when trying to force a collapse of the column. Finally broke with no energy on the 4F layer 100 cm down.

Shark-gill-pattern turns at 8,800 feet, NW facing. The snow is damp.

Snowpack

A large menu of damaged snow options. Sastrugi up on the ridgeline, breakable crust on west-facing at 9,500 feet, a few turns of recrystalized in the NW-facing pines at 9,100 feet and damp snow at 8,800 feet.