Quick report
Today's objective was to assess snowpack stability trends around the Gray Butte area. We found 35–40 inches of new snow (since Thursday), with the top 8 inches being exceptionally dry and unconsolidated. Compared to yesterday's observations, the new snow appears to have stabilized a bit, showing very little signs of storm slab activity. Dry loose avalanches, however, remain a problem on steep slopes. Wind slab most likely exists on leeward slopes within above treeline terrain, but little was seen on Gray Butte.
Very little was seen in terms of instability. Upon pit tests, cracking and slight failure occurred on density changes within the new snow, 10 inches down and ~24 inches down. These failures required moderate strength to trigger and were resistant to slide. Small, surface wind crusts were found below a ridge of a northwest aspect. These wind slabs were less than 6 inches deep, and isolated to aspect and upper slopes.Weather
- Air Temp
- 18
- Cloud Cover
- obscured
- Wind Loading
- light
- Rain Elevation
- Below town
- Recent Snowfall
- 8
- Snow Avail For Transport
- large amounts
Light snow and obscured skies defined today's weather. A couple inches of snow accumulated during daylight hours. Temperatures stayed cold, with Gray Butte (8,000 feet) recording a max temperature of 18 degrees F. Winds remained relatively light to moderate out of the southwest. Visibility was poor above treeline, providing no views of above treeline terrain.
Snowpack
A pit was dug on a southeast aspect at ~7,900 feet, where 35–40 inches of new snow (since Thursday) sat on top of a series of older crusts. The new snow is right side up, with the upper 8–10 inches being dry, fist hard, and unconsolidated. The lower 25–30 inches contained more consolidated snow, ranging from 4f to 1f hardness. The upper 8–10 inches of snow, was so dry, it ran easily as slough or dry loose avalanches on steep terrain.
Avalanche
No avalanches were observed.