Quick report
Today's mission was a wet and soggy one. Rain accompanied me to 8,800 feet. At that elevation, it was barely snowing with poor visibility and moderate winds from the south. The added rain has begun to erode surface crusts and settle the snowpack. Mushy snow with knee-deep boot penetration was experienced. The wet snow surface made snow transport very difficult. No blowing snow was observed. A pit was dug on a north aspect at 8,200 feet, displaying an upside-down snowpack. The top third of the snowpack is wet, with softer snow preserved in the middle, and older snow near the ground. Buried crusts are breaking down and becoming less pronounced.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 33
- Cloud Cover
- obscured
- Wind Loading
- none
- Rain Elevation
- 9,000 feet
- Recent Snowfall
- 5
- Snow Avail For Transport
- none
The skies were obscured and rain fell for the majority of the day. Winds above treeline were moderate from the south and southwest. Stronger winds could be heard higher on the mountain. Temperatures were above freezing.
Snowpack
The snowpack observed from below treeline, to above treeline, has been rained on. Snow below treeline is deteriorating and melting with the added water. Above treeline, the snowpack is settling with all the added weight. Rain runnels are present on many slopes at all elevations.