Public Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Dug a pit at the crest of a small wind protected creek drainage facing WNW on a 19* slope. Winds were calm out of the SW and the sun popped out around 11:30am. Pit was at an elevation of 7462ft. and the air temp was 32f. Results were: CTH 26 Q2 RP at a depth of ~100cm and ECTX. Surface hoar was widespread and will definitely be something to watch with any new storm interface. (Pic 1) Temps went up as the day progressed. Heavily loaded trees were dropping large chunks of snow and ice. Especially on southern aspects after 11:00am. With the snowpack healing I was keen to see how some of the steeper lines on northern aspects were looking. I noticed what I believe to be glide cracks across every one of the steeper northern slopes I observed. (Pics 2 & 3) And completely avoided them. Rode south off of one of the western most summits and the snow was great until around 6500ft. where the sun and high temps had affected it.