Quick report
- Red Flags
- Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Weak, faceted snow preserved underneath M/F crusts. See video below for discussion.</p>
Thin, shallow snowpack with an overall depth ranging from 20-40 cms (8-16") in Brighton backcountry. Am only finding one crust which is now buried underneath 20 cms (4") of recent storm snow. This crust has varying thicknesses (anywhere from a few mm to 3 cms/1.5"). Weak, facted snow underneath this crust. Deeper crusts from October have all deterioriated (faceted).
Few photos of high peaks showing snow coverage in upper reaches of the Cottonwoods.
Also worth noting what slopes do currently not have any snow! These will likely be the safest once we get additional loads of snow.
Am hoping the crusts actually facet away (deteriorate) and that once we get additional loading, *all* the weak snow will be cleaned out from avalanching. Otherwise the crusts will preserve the faceted snow underneath, creating a tricky situation as winter progresses.
Not listing a hazard rating (Low if I would) as greatest hazard is buried rocks, stumps, etc.
Snowpack
About 20-40 cms (8-16") in the upper elevations