Quick report
- Aspect
- Southeast
- Red Flags
- Rapid Warming
- Elevation
- 3078 m
- Slope Angle
- 35°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Warming of the recent snow was the most significant concern today. </p> <p>Snowpack structure seemed pretty decent overall, although we did notice some facets below the rain crust. </p>
Another pit on a south facing slope showed more crusts with facets but was generally strong otherwise.
Natural wet loose avalanche
Human triggered loose snow avalanches.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Plenty of roller balling and loose wet avalanches were observed today. These were both human triggered and natural. See photos below.</p> <p>Although not very reactive in snow pit tests, the facets below the rain crust on the SE slope where we dug were of concern since they have been implicated in a number of recent avalanches. As stated in the forecast, this seems like a low probability high consequence situation at this point. </p> <p>Forecaster Comments: the crust/facet layer from the 14th was the culprit for the avalanches near Gobbler's/Raymond; at this point we are also keeping an eye on weaknesses adjacent to last Friday's rain crust in the 7-8000' range. </p> <p>Numerous pole probing and hand pits on the deeper N facing slope we skied pointed to a strong structure.</p>
At the very top of our first run at 9:30 am on a SE facing rslope the snow at 10,000 feet was still good but had a zipper crust slightly lower. North facing, shady slopes stayed good. By noon, south facing snow was punchy and getting damp.