Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Phantom trees (and even slide path) uptrack seemed remarkably stable in AM when travelling up with about 4-5 inches of well-consolidated snow on top of a supportable base. Slot skied great and had about 12 inches of right side up stable snow on top of a supportable non crusty base. We booted fresh up the Snot, and noticed top 4 inch layer or so was very different than underlying layers; drier and sugary. As we continued booting up, this top layer became 8 inches deep or so and could release (not run) in small chunks if prodded in isolated pockets. On uptrack, very small cracks (no more than 4 inches deep) would appear in isolated pockets. Noticeable wind compaction in belly of the Snot with slight crust forming. Overall, very stable conditions, but watch for facets under the new 12 inches that occurred Sunday, March 20th into Monday, March 21st.