Quick report
The snow pack on N aspect east of leavitt was wind stripped and NE to E aspects were the only ski able faces until getting to leavitt or pushing north of Sonora pass. The snowpack was overall nonreactive at this time however I think the ice layer from the warm period will be a problem unless the warmer weather heals it before becoming loaded by a storm. The snow pack was quite stable. We stomped on some 35 degree NE/E facing inconsequential terrain to see if we could get any cracking or propagation whatsoever. Besides a small cornice failure the snow was unresponsive. At the big easy the snow stability was good.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 20 AM and 40 by 1330
- Cloud Cover
- few
- Wind Loading
- moderate
- Rain Elevation
- Not Observed
- Recent Snowfall
- 20-30cm
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
Cool in the am and above freezing to at least 10500 by 1400. Clear skies with little to no wind even on ridges and peaks.
Snowpack
Along our tour we took depth of snow. We checked depth at 8900’ N aspect BTL (110cm), 9500’ NTL (<300cm) on a leeward wind loaded finger NE/E aspect, and at the big easy NE aspect about 20 feet from the top ATL (195-210cm). The snowpack was stable with no reactivity I could find along the way. At the big easy I dug my pit where I tested depth and found the top 30cm to be 1F on top of 4F before finding an ice layer from the warm period we had. Below the ice layer it was P to K down a total of 120cm. My CT was CT11 but the failure took place 15cm down from the top where it transitions from 1F to 4F. This failure was not planar and did not seem to propagate. Boot pen was 35cm and ski pen was 25cm. Both below the layer that failed. I ski cut the top of the run and with no reactions skied without issue. Probably would not trust the pack to hold for multiple laps however.