Quick report
We found a generally deep stable snowpack in the Cape Horn area today. Snow depths averaged >3 feet (>100cm) above 7500 feet in elevation, with the thinnest coverage seen on wind-affected ridgelines. The weak snow we've been tracking was primarily buried 2 to 3 feet (60 to 80cm) below the surface and still propagated in stability tests.
Additional noteworthy findings:
- There was a breakable melt-freeze (sun?) crust on the surface up to ~8000 feet in elevation on S, SW, and W aspects
- We found a mix of soft snow in protected locations and wind-stiffened snow in exposed locations above 8000 feet
- Despite the obvious signs of previous recent wind-transport, we experienced no cracking
Weather
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- light
- Recent Snowfall
- 0
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
Light gusting moderate W winds with minimal snow available for transport.
Snowpack
Quick pit at 9100 feet on an E aspect 29* slope shows mixed propagating results in ECTs (ECTP19, ECTX, ECTP30) on facets below the 12/13 crust. The weak layer was buried 75cm deep in this location underneath a mostly 1F hard wind-pressed slab. PST40/100 END on the same layer.