Quick report
No signs of widespread instability. See above for comments on snowpack. As of Saturday 10/25, no snow available for transport, but high winds were causing some saltation. Surfaces were a mix of wind scoured snow and faceted grains. Dynamic late fall conditions will continue changing with additional storms. Snowpack in the windloaded gullies is quite weak, but as of Saturday, stable. No discernable slab. At the deepest points in the gullies there was ~60-70cm HS, bottom ~55cm <F facets, top 5-15cm 4F facets.
Weather
- Cloud Cover
- few
- Snow Avail For Transport
- none
Gorgeous fall day on the Sphinx. Strong westerly winds were ripping off the Helmet/Sphinx saddle and across the summit plateau, but the north face was quite sheltered.
Snowpack
Snowpack in the wind loaded gullies is quite weak, but as of Saturday, stable. No discernable slab. At the deepest points in the gullies there was ~60-70cm HS, bottom ~55cm <F facets, top 5-15cm 4F facets. Lots of bare ground even to ridge line on everything other than due north facing slopes but the gullies have all accumulated quite a bit of snow.