Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Wind Loading, Cracking, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>12/20 and prev 4 days -The low elev and lower mid elev still hold poor structure. Off aspects showing poor structure but limited to no results with snowpit tests over the last few days. Most suspect of the PWL in sheltered northerlies mid/low elev and shallower snopack areas (ie Millcreek, PC ridge, Mineral Fork). Mid/high elev in the core I have been seeing deep pack (HS150-~220cm) with the NDL/NFL rounding, gaining strength and protected by hard slab and 70cm+ deep in many places. Off aspects and low/mid elev seeing shallower weaker snowpack with ECTP results or poor structure.</p> <p>12/21 WIND, lots of wind, loading and stripping on all aspects, wind slab on all aspects upper/mid w/ stripping in similar aspects/elev. Wind slabs were touchy on small features upper/mid elev N half where the bed surface was smooth and suspected small weak layer of FCsf/SH that developed over the few days of high pressure. Wind slabs were stubborn and unreactive on southerly slopes where the bed surface was skied up/rough and lack of FC weak layer. Exited the field at 15:00 yesterday as winds continued to pick up and PI rates increased.</p>
SH in Mill D north. Be aware of preserved/buried SH in drainages where it is protected from the wind and there are small steep slopes into terrain traps (trees/gullies). Small unsuspecting features
WIND
small reactive wind slabs
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p> All aspects and at least upper/mid elev. seemed more sensitive on northerly slopes. Continued development with the winds.</p> <p> </p> <p>See red flags comments</p>
12/20 Mill D North Low angle slopes and northerlies were holding cold settled powder (quite a bit of settlement with the storm snow from last week). Steeper W & E as well as southerlies have MF. Snow surface has weakened quickly, especially in drainage bottoms with the recent cold temps and temperature inversions since Saturday. Large SH growth in drainage bottoms with high RH and cool temperatures See Spruces
12/21 Mill D South Mod-Strong winds raking the snow surface, rocks getting exposed on LSB and moraines below cardiac ridge