Becker Peak

We went to Echo Pass to take a look at snow totals and wind effect from the storm on 3/31-4/1(2 days ago). While we could skin up most of the way due to the supportability of the snowpack, lack of snow made for difficult and hazardous travel conditions to get back down. We were traveling in north terrain between 7500 ft and 8000ft and on Becker Ridge.  Trees were down throughout the area, especially along the ridge, reflecting the notable wind event during the 3/31–4/1 storm.

There was 8- 16 inches of recent storm snow which increased with elevation and varied due to wind loading. We experienced isolated of pockets of snow that were cracking in the top 4 inches of the snow pack and traveling 2 feet in front of my board but were stubborn in sliding. These tests were performed with an undercut(see photo). My snowpit tests showed this layer 10 cm below the surface in an ECT with no propogation and was CT15 and Resistant Planar. 

Snow surfaces were variable and depended on sun effect, wind effect, elevation, aspect and slope angle. Steeper north wind- protected areas held a few inches of soft snow. Overall conditions varied with patches of rhime and ice shedding from the trees creating icy and firm spots. There was  punchy wind crusts and firm wind board in patches as we made our way up a northeast low angle area.  Transitional snow on any aspect in the sun such as the ridge and south facing slopes.

The snowpack is extremely shallow, discontinuous, and felt hazardous to travel in below 8000ft. Open holes in talus fields, down trees, and open creeks were present.  I would not recommend skiing at this elevation.

 

On an undercut slope we experienced 2 foot cracks that were stubborn and did not really slide.