Quick report
- Collapsing
- isolated
Went for a tour up Kendall Stump on the afternoon of 2/3/25. Temps were cold and snow quality was enticing. New snow depth ranged from 8” in the dense trees to 2.5’ in exposed areas above 4000’. Experienced isolated collapsing and whumpfing in the snowpack as I got higher. I dug a pit at 4300’ on a SW aspect. A thick layer of sugary, faceted snow lies about 3.5’ from the surface. I performed an ECT, yielding ECTP8 on this layer of concern. Above it is an 8” slab of consolidated 1F snow with a K hardness freeze crust on top. This PWL is a dangerous recipe for unpredictable, large avalanches. This is not a typical PNW snowpack due to the cold and clear January nights. This is not the time to be taking chances in steeper terrain, however enticing the new snow is. It should be noted that this was a SW aspect, it does not look like the forecast today included this as an aspect of concern for the PWL.