Public Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Thin annoying conditions on approach and exit with a punchy but supportive 2 foot base. Photo 1

Wind had filled in skin track from 2 days prior in spots-photo 2

Fresh 2 inch Wind slab failed on isolation in a hand shear on a west aspect at 6400’ photo 3

Cornice development on a north aspect at 8000’ photo 4

Where we saw surface hoar 2 days ago, the wind had blown to the sawtooths.

We Avoided terrain we felt comfortable in 2 days prior and sought out wind sheltered terrain for best snow quality.

Strong gusts of wind easily transported the low density snow. There wasn’t much terrain that had not seen some form of wind affect, even sheltered trees still had trees Bombs intermittent with the powder stashes.

It will be interesting to see how this incoming storm will bond to our current snowpack.

Our main concerns were fresh wind slabs, wind loaded slopes, the early season conditions with stumps, rocks, and sticks.