Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Continued winds shifted to the NW, and were redistributing previously drifted snow above treeline. This will likely lead to a complex patchwork of variable snow surfaces and wind deposits on multiple aspects.</p>
Another fun day in the North Woods, where we took shelter from the gusty winds at treeline. The trees up high were definitely talking to us as they swayed in the wind today. Heads up for widowmakers! Fingers crossed for a break in the winds so we can enjoy some of this light early February snow. FYI- there is a skin track up the middle of North Woods for lapping access. It was a good way to stay out of the winds on Laurel Highway.
Big thanks to Grand County for widening the road, and Eric Trenbeath for his tireless work to keep us well-informed!
Photos taken at the top of the North Woods.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Continued wind scouring and loading on exposed areas at and above treeline. Shifting winds will make it hard to select good ski terrain due to the spatial variability of the snowpack. New loading from these wind events is creating additional stress in steep and rocky N and E terrain (i.e. Tele Gold repeater). S and E aspects may experience new loading with today's NW winds.</p> <p>Maintain caution near steep and wind drifted slopes.</p>
The new surface snow from the last storm was fast and cold on north aspects. At treeline, light drifted snow concealed hard wind crust for a variable ride in intermittent dust on crust conditions. We couldn't see far today at treeline, but nearby southern aspects were scoured down to grass and rocks (see photo).