East Osceola

Quick report

We observed very variable skiing and riding conditions, but no real avalanche problem. We also discussed how we were traveling in a generally small, sheltered piece of terrain with a small fetch zone (i.e. snow in trees) and questioned the ability for the terrain to harbor any significant wind slab problems. No signs of instability or an avalanche problem were observed.

Weather

Air Temp

5

Cloud Cover

few

Wind Loading

none

Recent Snowfall

~35cm in last 7 days at Loon/Waterville Valley

Snow Avail For Transport

small smounts

Cold and sunny w/ strong-extreme winds from the W/NW. No solar effect noted and winds were not transporting any snow.

Snowpack

From the road and in terrain, we observed no wind loading and minimal snow available for transport after the intense winds had already moved what they could in recent days. We observed very variable conditions depending on our aspect/elevation and how sheltered the terrain was. Lower in the terrain (1500-2400') on more E facing aspects, we found an upside down snowpack topped with a supportable crust. Closer to our high point of 3800' on a more NE aspect, we experienced ~5cm of breakable crust on top of a more uniform 4F snowpack. We agreed that we were encountering a crust disguised as a wind slab, as cracking was isolated and the crust easily broke apart under our skis.