Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Cracking, Rapid Warming, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Recent Avalanche in a separate ob. Some minor cracking in drifts while ascending the lookers right ridge of the Wilson glade, localized and minor. Many rollerballs today and yesterday on sunny aspects and along the millcreek road. Poor snow pack structure selected due 2' of weak facets on the top of the Wilson peak nw shot into Alexander's. The facets are below a 4 to 10' windslab. I was able to isolate columns but sunk thru the slab into the facets while skinning We backed of the shot due to the facets, this is not uncommon in this area. Could lead to pockets of considerable hazard in thin snow pack areas. Wilson chutes were non reactive to ski cuts. Some old debris was visable.</p>
Quick pits on north aspects indicate a weak break/shear at 8-10'. Looks like surface facets sitting on top of decomposing grapuel.
Photo below, quick pit showing facets in the upper portion of the nw Wilson shot into Alexander's.
Photo below, only skunk I have seen while skiing here in 35 years!
Hard call on the hazard, mostly moderate but the sun and increasing temps are the wildcard.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>As evidenced by the recent slide in depth hoar bowl.</p> <p>Moderate hazard.</p> <p>Temps were somewhat cool today but I would be concerned with any increase in temps combined with the spring sun.</p> <p>Moderate hazard perhaps rising higher if temps exceed forecast.</p>
Powder on shaded norths and upper elevation protected norths. Many aspects will have a crust in the am. Portions of the lower 1/3 of the Wilson chutes had a light crust at 3.30 pm. Damp snow in areas exposed to the sun.