Quick report
Traveled to the northern end of the Snake River Range to assess recent snow stability and glass for avalanches from the previous storm cycle with good visibility. Recent snow is bonding well below 9000'. Recent snow depth varied based on wind drift ranging from 12-24". Multiple interfaces exist within recent snow from graupel layers that are gaining strength with time. Hand shears were more resistent to failure as recent snow settles with warmer temps and solar influence. Not much wind affect or slabs observed below 9000'. Cornices are growing significantly in size above 8500'. Light winds today. Any wind affected terrain in uppers on N to E aspects should be assessed thoroughly for wind slabs formed during last several days. Partly to mostly cloudy skies. Solar was impacting southerly aspects creating wet surfaces. Spring time crust season.
Snowpack
8000' on a NW aspect HS: 225cm Feb 2 weak layer buried 100cm. Jan 4 weak layer buried 150cm. Top half of the snowpack is right side up.
9000' HS ranged from 250-over 300cm.
Avalanche
- Size
- D2 R2
- Type
- HS
- Aspect
- N
- Elevation
- 9200 ft
Observed two large (D2-2.5) persistent slab avalanche from the previous cycle on N and NE aspects above 9000'. These very likely failed on the 1/4 weak layer with crown of 5-6' deep. Both likely occured during rapid loading around 3/2.