Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Although I didn't stumble across any areas of significant concern, I did note areas where the new snow was shallower and also noted areas where it was deeper, up to 8 inches or so from the winds. The deeper drifts didn't seem excessively sensitive, but seemed like they were just on the verge of wanting to crack. I suspect along the ridges a person may have been able to find small pockets to crack out.</p>
I marched around out in the back bowls by my self without much concern of triggering or getting caught in an avalanche today. While I do think you could have found a small pocket somewhere, my personal pucker factor tells me the overall avalanche danger remained mostly low.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>The new snow is always a concern when going out and feeling it for the first time during and just after a new snowstorm. Out of wind affected areas on very steep slopes I did not find that the new snow was sensitive. Again, I suspect in steep wind drifted areas just off higher ridges the new snow would be sensitive.</p>
Dust on crust was found on aspects with a previous sun crust. Northerly aspects with a little snow from the previous storm in addition to today's 4 to 5 inches had dramatically improved riding conditions. Although the temperatures were somewhat cool, I did note that the new snow had that heavy "springlike" feel to it once I was nearing the Brighton parking lot again at the end of the day.