Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Friday's small storm put 1-2" of snow on the Mtn above 3500'. Saturday was sunny above 5500' but lower altitudes were in clouds and fog all day. High winds on Saturday morning (35-50 mph) above 5500' scoured away the new snow leaving only small patches of wind transported snow in protected areas along ridges and rocks. Above 5500', old snow was covered by a thick layer of ice and rime and patches of new snow had enough ice an rime that they were often difficult to penetrate with a crampon . Two climbers, wearing crampons, had serious falls on the east aspect of Monitor Ridge. Precipitation from the new storm began as rain as we descended through 5200' at 6 PM.