Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Skied West Bowl and Christmas tree bowl. Supportable crust at lower elevations switched to a few inches of wet heavy snow on top of the crust around 3200'. Crust couldn't be felt above 4000' - there was about 10" of heavy fresh snow from 4-5k'. Snow became slightly wind affected as elevation increased.

Dug a pit at 4200', CTN and ECTX. Several layers were apparent throughout the snowpack, snowpack was extremely wet below the fresh snow. Even with the wetness, layers seemed well bonded. Pounding on the columns with full force could not produce results. At elevations where a crust and a few inches of heavy fresh existed there was easily initiated sluffing.