Public Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Drivable to the trailhead at 6700’ where there is 6-8 inches of snow. Supportive traveling conditions. I found 70 cms of snow at 7600’ where I dug a pit on November 11th where I had 75 cms at that time so pretty similar snow depths at this elevation. I noted surface hoar development in wind protected areas.

Continuing up the ridge, I found wind affected snow and wind drifts on leeward sides (southern breeze loading north aspects). Still thin rocky conditions with many obstacles protruding through the snow surface. Travel was easy on a supportive crust from the 11/19/21 storm with a few inches of low density snow on top.

I dug a pit at 8200’ on an Eastern aspect where I found 120 cms of snow total. 70-80 cms of the Atomespheric river (AR) event snow, 30 cms of the 11/6—11/11 storm, a solid supportive crust with 5 cms of low density snow. My stability tests showed a strong snowpack which took a lot of force to initiate propagation within the interface of the AR snow and the Veterans Day storm slab. The new 5 cms of snow on the supportive crust was weakening with clear cold nights and will be my layer of concern moving forward once we get a significant snow load.

Main concerns were fresh wind slabs on leeward slopes and the thin early season conditions.