Quick report
- Red Flags
- Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Despite the mostly light wind loading over the past 24 hours, sensitive cornices were observed on south and southeast upper elevation ridgelines. In areas where the snowpack is less than a meter (and specifically around rocks and cliffs) 2 to 3 mm advanced basal facets were observed. The deepest HS in non wind loaded areas was 150 cm, and even in these locations fist to 4 finger hard basal facets are still in place. The mid and upper layers of the snowpack continue to gain strength, and the warm temperatures from last week have helped in this regard. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>It has been 9 days since the last human triggered persistent slab release, and this latest storm has not provided a substantial increased load in weight to test the buried facets. Despite this, all observations continue to report poor snowpack structure, and as a result this problem remains on the table. Many steep lines continue to be ridden, yet steep rocky and thin areas in the snowpack remain suspect. Due to this lingering possibility, the Danger out there appears to be moderate for these potential issues. </p> <p>Scattered/isolated natural and human triggered loose snow avalanches in the new snow only were observed. These all appeared manageable. </p> <p>See above regarding Sensitive Cornices. </p> <p>Wednesdays forecast for clear skies and temperatures reaching the upper 30's at 9000 feet should help initiate widespread wet loose activity on steep SE, S, and SW aspect. </p>
Very little wind damage with small isolated patches of wind crust and lingering rime crust observed in the most exposed areas. The graupel from yesterday served as an excellent rebounding/spongy turning base with the 4 to 6 inches of new light density snow from last night on top. Very good riding, especially on ENE, NE, N and NW aspects. You could feel the old surface crusts on south, east and west aspects.