Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Went for a short tour up Skyline & down towards Marmot Meadows, to then take a second lap up past Hogsback, transitioning mid-way up the ridge between Rock Garden and Cloud 9. Key take aways are (1) warmer temps have healed some of the weak layer, however this varies on the slope scale (2) wind transport was apparent, both in snow surfaces & visible transport (3) we did not encounter much of a storm slab while skiing, however we did see some wind loading and wind slab on the terrain feature scale.

Judging by the changes since we were in similar areas 11/23, the warmer temperatures and rain on Thanksgiving shown on the Skyline weather station caused some healing in the snowpack, but there is still need for more. The punchy crust was healed in most areas, but snowpack still varied on the terrain feature level to still have some crusty, grabby turns. While out on the 23rd, we felt 2 whumfs in lower-angled terrain, however today the healing from the warmer temps led to the sugary layer we saw on the 23rd to be more supportable, with smaller grains, yet still less firm than the layer on top of it by 1 to 2 steps in the hand hardness scale.

While touring up the rib from the top of Hogsback between Rock Garden & Cloud 9, we did witness wind loading on E facing terrain features and snow surfaces, and we decided to spin before heading up to the final bench of the run. We did not see much of a cohesive storm slab, however weather was still moving in by the time we ended our short before work laps ~11:30. There is plenty of time, and snow, for that to develop between this evening and Monday morning. It seems that the weak layers from Nov storms are still something to be watched and to be evaluated on a slope by slope basis until they heal more consistently across terrain, and that while the healing has begun, there is still much left to be done.