Soft in SMITH

A recent report of a large avalanche in the South Rockies region think of testing the snowpack in another shallow snowpack area. In the Elkford area, the Melt Freeze crust developed on Feb 2 can be found at below 2100m. Above this elevation, we found 15cm recent new snow over a well-consolidated mid-pack. We observed an avalanche on a south aspect that looked to have occurred over the weekend from the new snow and wind. The early season weak layer while gaining strength, is in our minds for thin spot triggering near ridges and continues to wake up during stormy periods.