Quick report
With some uncertainty regarding expected snowfall, we considered several different plans for the day and decided to let the conditions on the ground dictate our travel.
- We found less snow and wind than anticipated, so we executed our most ambitious plan.
- Our time above tree line was limited by very poor visibility above 6500 feet.
- Recent snow consists of 4 inches and rests on a thin and fragile crust/facet combination.
- The snow surface in wind-exposed terrain had been stiffened slightly by recent winds, but slabs were not reactive where we traveled.
- Old (hard) wind slabs were evident in our pits and made for some punchy riding above treeline, though these were also unreactive.
- We found the well-documented buried surface hoar (layer) 2.5-4 feet deep in all of the pits. It was not reactive in pit tests.
- We observed many sled tracks near and below tree line without any signs of instability.
Plenty of people out enjoying some holiday riding!
No obvious signs of instability
Weather
- Air Temp
- 30
- Cloud Cover
- obscured
- Wind Loading
- previous
- Rain Elevation
- 3500
- Recent Snowfall
- 10
A few short pulses of moisture throughout the day with rates approaching S1 at times. Only a couple light SW gusts. Socked in above 6500 feet.
Snowpack
Pit @ 6800' NE:
- HS = 215 cm
- ECTN16 Down 40 cm, ECTN24 down 70cm
- Surface hoar (12/7) down 120 cm (ECTX)
Pit @ 6600' N:
- HS = 185 cm
- Unreliable test results due to vegetation in pit
- Surface hoar (12/7) down 80 cm
Pit @ 6000' NW:
- HS = 150 cm
- Surface hoar (12/7) down 70 cm
Avalanche
No recent avalanches. Maybe saw an old crown near Saint Clair Peak from last week's storm. Visibility was poor and it's possible it was a sled track.