Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Significant poor snowpack structure not evident on the SSE, E and SSW aspects in pits, yet once off these aspects the aforementioned persistent weak layers noted in all other observations was observed. HS in the upper reaches of Snake Creek was 100 cm to 120 cm. In this limited area traveled, collapsing and cracking were less evident than on previous tours this week in the LCC and BCC. Wind loading noted above. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Despite no naturals and or human triggered avalanches observed (and this may have as much to do with the poor visibility as the conservative choices of terrain) other observations and hasty pits on off aspects indicate this problem is still number one. And, conservative travel still recommended in and under areas of steep terrain that are obviously housing buried facets. Additional snow and the forecast for substantial westerly winds over the next 24 hours may bring about another round of natural avalanches overnight and into the morning hours. </p> <p>Along with the above mentioned problem, the aforementioned winds will be loading leeward slopes in mid and upper elevation, and there is ample snow available for transport. </p>
Excellent riding on moderately dense new snow/powder. No inversion was noted, yet hand shears indicated a mostly unreactive density change 13 cm down in the new snow. New snow in the past 48 hours added up to 28 cm with another 10 during the daytime hours. Of note the grauple that fell in the initial part of this latest event 48 hours ago still appears to be allowing for moderate to hard shears.