Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Collapsing
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>I won't put recent avalanche as a red flag as the avalanche I observed was only a glide, however we had a substantial long lasting collapse high up in Broads fork on a N facing slope. Graupel pooling was noted in the less steep areas, but the area we had the large collapse was due to spindrift and wind deposition below cliffs. Winds in the mid elevations were above what we expected, and high up looked quite challenging. Of note was the variable wind direction which looked to have varied from S-W-N, although most of the deposition was on eastery slopes.</p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Very disbursed around the compass, although not connected or too big in size. They seem to be mostly present at the high elevations, however in areas in Broads the deposition was occurring much of the way down the slope as well in runs like Blue Ice and the Diving Board, and on the northerly slopes underneath Dromedary and Sunrise. In my opinion there are certainly "pockets" of areas that the likelihood of triggering a wind slab is considerable, which would make the rating considerable. </p> <p>Did not experience this as we were out by 9am, but with the forecasted temps I would certainly put this as our second problem of the day</p>
Below about 9000 feet, there is now a stout melt freeze crust that is buried by only about 2" of snow. The snow didn't start in earnest yesterday until the temperature had dropped 10-15 degrees, which gave the base a chance to setup with lovely character. This was present even on the northerly aspects. The skiing quality was less then good, and varied quite a bit due to wind effect.