Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Snow since 1/30 has improved skiing quality, and generally not too wind affected below ridge-lines. Crust can still be felt, but less-so as this weeks snow settles. Debris from January avalanche cycles is still hazardous, but mostly still easy to see (heads up in low-vis conditions).

On 2/1, observed widespread surface hoar buried intact above crust at low elevations in the Cutthroat drainage, but did not survive on higher, solar slopes, where the crust below is thick and stout.

On 2/3, observed widespread whumphing collapses throughout the Hairpin Valley including valley bottom, W aspects to 6300', and E through N aspects to 6800'. None produced shooting cracks.

Midslope at 6610' on WSW aspect, we found a complicated matrix of crusts and facets below the crust on which this week's snow sits. Two of these faceted layers sandwiched between crusts produced sudden results at depths of 43cm and 54cm. I suspect the layer at 43cm is responsible for the whumphing collapses. This layer is directly below the uppermost crust.