Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
November 22, 2022 - November 22, 2022Submitted:
November 22, 2022Observer:
ProZone or Region:
Big Creek SummitLocation:
Big creek summitSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
GoodConfidence in Rating:
ModerateStability Trend:
WorseningBottom Line
Thin and weakening 1-2 foot snowpack. The snow surface is capped with a solar crust on sunny aspects and widespread surface hoar/near surface facets on anything shady. Problematic rain crust in upper half. Lots of loosely buried obstacles. Snow was punchy and loosing strength.
Media
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Mostly SunnyTemperature:
28Wind:
Calm , SWarmer day in the mountains than the past week with snow surfaces dampening in the afternoon on sunny aspects but still cool enough to preserve well developed surface hoar in the shade.
Snowpack Observations
On a north aspect at 7200’, I found 80 cms (30 inches) of weak sugary snow with a rain crust at 55 cms. Snow was weakening significantly in this location from the now 2 week dry spell. I tied to isolate a column several times, but it failed in the process on the weak sugary snow below the rain crust. This setup makes me extremely nervous for when we finally get a decent amount of snow.
Terrain Use
Thin conditions on all aspects kept me out of any steeper terrain. Not much wind affected snow in the areas that were traveled. Cautious travel protocols are prudent.
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