Public Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

We toured to Aneroid Basin. Snow coverage was somewhat thin near the Wallowa Lake TH, but much better up higher. We dug a pit on a NE facing aspect at 6800 ft, 33 deg slope, and found 175cm of snow. Column test had a slight collapse at 24 taps (4 from shoulder) at the layer at 100cm, but it did not separate or slide even after 30 taps. Even when we tipped the column it did not separate or move on this layer. The snow pack in this location was right side up with about 2 ft of fresh light fluffy pow that seemed to be bonding well to the snow below it. The finger test showed progressively denser snow until we hit a layer at 100cm depth. We did not experience any whumphs or cracks, and did not see any avalanches. The wind did appear to be whipping up higher, with streamers off all of the surrounding peaks The snow had blown off of most of the SW/W aspects up above the basin, although the wind in the basin itself was minimal.