Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Weather: sunny. Low or no winds. Clouds increasing after 1200. Widespread surface hoar above ~5.6k.

Objective: continue tracking numerous weak layers (1/4,12/21,12/9, ground facets).

Dug a pit on E aspect at ~6.1k. HS 115cm. New snow failed on 1/4 interface @ 100cm. Q2-CTE4-RP. Next came multiple simultaneous failures between 1/4 interface and 12/21 crust @ 70cm. The 12/21 crust is extremely strong and is about 10cm thick. Had witnessed this in previous days. Main failure of note was faceted snow on top of 12/21 crust, as previously reported. Q1-CTM8-SP. Finally we found a failure on the 30cm of sugar snow laying on the ground. Q1-CTH8-SC.

Repeated test on N aspect at similar elevation and found eerily similar results. I had planned to ski only conservative terrain and these snowpack tests made me happy to continue with that plan.

Overall, the snowpack and avalanche problems are such that you might not trigger an avalanche, but if you do it has the potential to be BIG.