Quick report
- Aspect
- Northeast
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Wind Loading
- Elevation
- 2957 m
- Slope Angle
- 10°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Alpine terrain was experiencing active loading from the moderate to strong Southerly winds. Mid elevation drifting occurring throughout tour.</p>
Goals of the day: 1. Target uncertainty with regards to what slide paths ran during the last cycle (1/30/21) and what has yet to release in the alpine terrain of Red Pine/Maybird. 2. Map surface conditions ahead of the next loading event. We were pleasantly surprised to see that upper Red Pine went through an extensive natural cycle. The entirety of the upper north through east facing portion of the drainage (Lake Shot et al) had run and debris reached almost as far as the Lower Red Pine Lake. The effects of the wind event from 1/27-1/28 and the subsequent snowfall (40cm) allowed for the larger slopes to be connected for the first time during the season. It was truly amazing to see crowns that wrapped around terrain features and aspects. Even down in the rolling terrain above the lake we were able to see evidence of significant avalanches in unusual places. Would be difficult to call any of these greater than D2.5 due to the nature of the slab. Although the Lake Shot path has significant relief, the crowns were only around 90cm-1.25 m deep and the flanks quickly tapered to 50-60 cm. Although it took out the majority of the snow cover from the season, there just wasn't that much volume in the deposition zones at the toe.
Small test slopes at mid elevation on the way to Maybird provided solid evidence that the snowpack was still adjusting and we triggered one small avalanche by kicking a cornice feature on a steep rollover.
While it was clear the majority of the hazard had relived itself in the alpine, would expect many of these paths to reload and possibly repeat. There is still weak snow left in the bed surfaces. And the mid elevation slopes that did not run may still be suspect. Although our snow pit showed that the mid pack has become quite stout above the 20201211 layer, the facets will need more time to undergo the effects of pressure and sintering. But maybe in certain places we are putting the right dynamics in place to gain strength. Until then, the avalanches are going to be large and un-survivable if triggered.
Photos:
Upper Drainage crowns
Photos
Lower Lake slide and test slope after cornice kick.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Slopes are more connected and the layer of concerns is becoming more deeply buried in the core of the Wasatch. </p> <p>In upper LCC the winds were transporting and reloading paths that had slid during the natural cycle on 1/30/21. These new drifts and wind slabs will be covered up by the new snow tomorrow and it will be hard to tell exactly where the problem lies.</p>
In the alpine the snow surfaces generally had some wind effect but skied well enough. Mid elevation had soft settled powder from the storm over the weekend but was wind effected in many locations. Lowers had notable surface deterioration from green housing. Roller balls and pinwheels abound.