Snowpack

Observation: Big Meadow

Darce Trotter/Steve CoteSkyline
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Quick report

Aspect
North
Red Flags
Wind Loading, Cracking
Elevation
2957 m
Slope Angle
25°
Red Flags Comment
<p>see pics for recent pockets triggered by cornice fall, cornices continue to calve off.</p>

we got surprised at the density change level, would not fail on ECT but got Q1 shear when we really pried on it

typical cornice fall pocket pulling out

this Q1 shear was on top of 1" deteriorating MF crust

Snowpack

Instability Comment
<p>as above</p> <p>all over the place, but not well connected, I believe the term is "spatial variability"</p>

still very happy with condition of overall pack, but did find older graupel layer still midpack, but could not get it to fail, after prying on it with shovel we did get a Q1 shear down 18" on top of older 1" MF crust.  conditions ranged from wind buffed hard slab that is difficult to even get an edge in and made for tenative skinning, to sheltered snow creamy turns, with rapidly change from zone to zone