Public Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

15cm of new snow was poorly bonded to the pencil hard melt freeze crust.

Skinning conditions were good, with majority of skinning taking place in new snow on SW facing slopes. Some wind scoured areas on W facing slopes, but these were still edgeable on the uphill. Downhill skiing was focused on slopes <35 degrees, and on SW aspects to avoid potential avalanche problems. Evidence of wind loaded ridges on NE and E aspects.

We dug a 100cm profile at 5300ft towards summit on W aspect. Snow depth was measured at 200cm. First 15cm layer of new snow was finger hard, and below that were multiple layers of pencil hard/finger hard snow. Bottom half of profile consisted of knife hard snow. Deep tap test resulted in top layer sliding off layer below. Top layer was poorly bonded to pencil hard layer beneath. We were pleased with our decision to stay on lower angle slopes to avoid dry loose problems.

All in all it was a great day on the mountain!