Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | Yes |
10:00-4:30
My partner and ascended the standard approach track to 2,200 ft at our high point, where we conducted instability tests and skied a few laps within the northern treeline bowls. Wind was a driving factor for most to stay away from exposed ridgelines, while also causing widespread 5-20cm, F-4F windslabs with consistent gusts up to 30mph. Cloud cover improved throughout the day with strong sun effect causing rollers in pocketed, non-wind affected areas. Great skiing!
Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | Yes |
Strong,active, continuous wind-loading throughout the entire day.
Skin Tracks were filling in within 20-30min.
Widespread, Touchy 10-30cm Wind Slabs were reactive on leeward convexities.
No new, obvious releases within 24 hours.
Scattered clouds trending to Clear skies from 10:00-4:30pm
Consistent WSW winds of 10-15mph with gusts to 30mph. 1,000-2,000ft.
Temps ranged from -11°C to -8°C
Strong sun affect, with wind-pocketed areas producing roller balls by 3pm.
Wind-stiffened and wind Slab surfaces, up to 20cm thick, 4F hardness were present in specific, exposed areas, while widespread windskins were present from 1,000-2,000ft+.
Ski/Boot Pen: 5-25/55cm
In general, our focus was to observe storm snow settlement, reactivity of storm snow interface, find depth of 1/20 & 1/27 layers and experience Fx wind.
Our test pit showed the (Facets-NYE MF Crust-Facets) approximately 120cm below surface, which was a little different from the Eddies recent Crown Profile and but consistent with some other recent observed releases.
The NYE MF Crust (1F-) was approx. 2cm which is the smallest width in personal test pits.
... In previous failures on the 1/20 facet layer, the failure layer was well above the NYE crust, where we now received results below.
*See SnowPilot for Profile and Results*