Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Terrain: Late start to the day brought me up past the Thumbtack to the North Slope where I took two runs before heading back over the divide

Avalanche: Noticed plenty of snow shedding off trees and rocks but not much you could call an actual avalanche. Did see some evidence of recent Wet Loose avalanches from earlier in the day or on Monday, but nothing bigger than D1.

Snowpack: Aspect dependant with slopes that receive direct sunshine containing mostly melt forms as they go through melt/freeze cycles with our sunny days and cool nights. Slopes that do not see direct sunshine had a mix of wind-pressed surfaces, some breakable shallow wind stiffened snow, and unconsolidated dry snow. Surface Hoar was observed in some locations. A quick pit on the North Slope found a crust 20 cm down and a layer of graupel down 35 cm that was reactive in shovel shear tests but not during compression tests.

Weather: Beautiful day for a walk with bright sunshine and warmer than expected temperatures. Zero wind but some high clouds started to move into the area in the late afternoon.