Quick report
- Aspect
- North
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Wind Loading, Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Elevation
- 2377 m
- Slope Angle
- 26°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Multiple slides off of Willard Peak and Black mountain. Wind was transporting lots of snow and loading lee slopes, even at mid elevations. Cracking occured where wind crust was forming and natural cracks were observed from mid storm in the ice crust layer. One layer roughly 80cm from the surface collapsed without failure on the backcut of the ECT. That and another layer roughly 55cm from the surface failed with the sheer test.</p>
After initial collapse without failure on the backcut there were no additional failures or propagation on ECT.
Danger level was considerable for wind loaded slopes above 8,000 ft and moderate elsewhere.
Very difficult to skin on all steep slopes, especially where the wind scoured the snow to the crust. Crampons recommended.
1. Weak layer that collapsed with backcut
2. Natural avalanches off south/southeast face of Willard Peak
3. Natural crack in rain crust
4. Spindrift off Ben Lomond peak
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Moderate winds were creating wind slabs that were sensitive to ski cuts. More likely to be a problem at higher elevations and on ridge lines. The lower elevation wind slabs seemed to be manageable. Danger would be expected to increase if winds continue.</p> <p>Somewhat difficult to predict how previously mentioned weak layers will react with the stout rain crust appearing to lock snow in place.</p>
3-4" of low density snow on a very firm rain crust. Wind loading created breakable wind crust on N-NE aspects.