Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

We started via Bullion Basin trail 8:00 and generally took the PCT to Scout Pass descended into Basin Lake and went on to Big Crow Basin. We returned via Basin Lake, Cement Basin, East Peak and back out Bullion Basin trail and back at the car at 3:00 PM. Minimal Surface hoar was observed and was restricted to low angle protected areas such as along the Bullion Basin trail, Basin Lk, Big Crow Basin and Cement Basin. No surface hoar was observed on steep terrain. On E and SE slopes in the 6000- 6400 band a 3 cm surface layer bonded by surface crust was prevalent and poorly bonded. It consistently failed in a sudden planer fashion and appeared to collapse as well. My guess is the 1.5 inches of snow which fell on the 13th fell on surface hoar and is a layer to watch going forward. In general we had had good travel conditions with 100 to 150 mm ski penetration in sugary snow. Some fine skiing on N aspects and breakable crust onS aspects.