Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Went for a very short reconnaissance tour up the Maggie's uptrack from the road to ~5200' on S-SE-E aspects and back down. Weather was calm, sunny, and quite pleasant. Dug a couple quick handpits at 5100' on an E aspect and found 12/8 BSH layer intact and obvious. Stepping off the skintrack into fresh snow occasionally produced subtle but audible whumpfs. Aspects with a southerly tilt had moist snow surfaces, while shaded terrain and E aspects held cold, faceted snow at the surface. Due south aspects were burning off, with bare ground and grass poking through the snowpack. Steeper slopes (35deg +) right below ridgetop were also melted out to the ground on E aspects. It seems unlikely that the 12/8 BSH exists on exposed SE-S-SW facing slopes, though wouldn't rule it completely without more definitive info. Did not travel to or get eyes on W-N-NE facing slopes. Despite many tracks visible on 30deg+ terrain, no new observed avalanche activity, and variable hand shear results on the 12/8 BSH, a poor snowpack structure exists and I would want more information on the distribution and sensitivity of the 12/8 BSH before committing to travel in avalanche terrain, especially on W-N-E facing slopes.