Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Widespread wind loading, hard and soft slab formation was observed. Very minor cracking without collapsing. Very weak snow is forming on the ground due to cold and temperature gradient. No natural avalanche activity was seen today.</p>
The observed rime crust could be a player in future avalanche conditions secondary to adjacent faceting. Depth hoar is forming at lower elevations and in thin snow pack areas. Surface faceting mostly getting destroyed by wind.
Rime covered tree.
Rime crust before yesterdays new snow.
Willard Peak.
Mostly moderate hazard in areas that we skied at mid and low elevations. Considerable hazard along upper ridges and peaks.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Drifts of soft snow were not very reactive to ski cuts. We did not venture out onto any hard slabs. Minor cracking along the edges of hard slabs.</p>
Wind damaged snow was extensive and visible along mid and upper ridges. Wind deposition and crusts were noted along both sides of ridges dependent on wind direction over the last several days. There is a 1/4 inch rime crust buried under 4 inches of new above about 7200 ft. Below 7000 ft there is extensive faceting on the ground in thin snow pack areas. This was also noted at 8,000 ft in a thinly covered rocky area.