Skier triggered wind slab on Northeast slope at 7,450 feet elevation. One skier was caught and carried roughly 10 feet before the slide came to a stop.
Skier triggered wind slab on Northeast slope at 7,450 feet elevation. One skier was caught and carried roughly 10 feet before the slide came to a stop.
Skier triggered wind slab on Northeast slope at 7,450 feet elevation. One skier was caught and carried roughly 10 feet before the slide came to a stop.
The new snow was low density and sluffed easily on steep shady northerlies. On steep slopes facing the sun (south and east, and probably west) the new snow sat on a crust and became moist as the sun warmed it up and started to slide under skis. We saw a couple very small natural loose snow slides below rock outcrops on south facing slopes. Air temperatures were well below freezing, especially with wind chill, but the sun quickly warmed the recent new snow.
There was 6" of low density snow from yesterday. Winds were stronger than expected, from the north at the top of the Throne, and increased through the morning.
We found fresh drifts that were reactive, cracking easily and 5-10' wide out from our skis, on south and east facing slopes around 8000-8300'.
From obs: "We found up to a 6” deep wind slab producing shooting cracks at Goose Lake on a NW facing slope at 10500ft."
We also witnessed a falling cornice today that washed some snow through rocks. Be aware of what's above you.
Expected to find a different snowpack in the area southwest of Cooke/Silvergate, but once again we found deep (HS 235cm), strong, stable snow.
Digging more than a foot or two into the snowpack is a chore. Even the north-facing snow below 8000' is incredibly dense and supportive.
It seems like recent warm weather really helped consolidate the snowpack.
Don't take this good stability for granted - Even though the snowpack is generally stable, there is still trouble to be found in more consequential terrain. In one area, we did find some upside-down snow. It seemed stable, but in very steep terrain, even a small pocket releasing can cause trouble. We also witnessed a falling cornice today that washed some snow through rocks. Be aware of what's above you.
