Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Many cornices have already collapsed for the season but a few are still hanging on. Widespread loose wet debris was present below cornices and rock bands. We found small, isolated wind slabs up to 8” deep that produced shooting cracks directly on and immediately below ridge lines. These failed easily during hand shear tests as they sat on dry, sugary snow. Surprisingly, these wind slabs did not extend far below the ridge line on lee slopes and thus did not present much of a hazard in the areas we traveled. On N aspects, the skiing was decent with some soft, wet snow above a mostly supportable crust. On S aspects, we skied wet, breakable crust above tree line. We did not observe the forecasted storm slabs where we traveled.