Quick report
- Red Flags
- Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Mostly observed signs of rock solid and frozen in place stability, however we did encounter a few patches where wind drifted snow overlayed surface facets. In these isolated pockets we did observe a few cracks from the skis.</p>
On our nature walk today, we saw a woodpecker and we lucky enough to hear a pack of coyotes howling and tipping not too far off.
We wandered through terrain features in Butler Fork, looking to see how surface conditions on steep slopes leading into terrain traps were fairing. No big surprises here, many of these slopes are continuing to develop terribly weak surface snow, especially in the many wind and sun protected terrain trap features of Butler Fork. If we ever get an added load, these terrain traps will be a good place to avoid as avalanches will likely be reactive to a skinner or snowshoer and even a small pockety avalanche could easily bury someone in the bottom of the gully. It will likely be imperative to practice safe travel techniques.
As for current travel conditions, The ascent of the "Wallstreet" ramp leading up from the creek to the wilderness sign is extra firm, extra icy, and extra spicy right now. A slide here could easily end up with a heck of a slide and a busted knee, bum shoulder, or worse. It reminded me of a route I ascended years ago on an Intro to Ice Climbing Course in Franconia Notch, NH.
The skiing conditions ranked from "ok" to "marginal" to "downright bad" as we descended from the Basin back to the truck. I was surprised and delighted that neither of use broke any gear due to the tooth rattling descent.
Couple pics of surface hoar growth around the parts of the creek that weren't frozen over. Did I mention is was cold?
Snowpack
Mixed bag of frozen surface conditions, we found softer recrystalized snow in the wind protected gullies and terrain features.