Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

West Crater Rim Route Ski Tour departing Timberline 0830, descending Mazama Chute 1715, returning to car (via Illumination Saddle) 1815.

For the most part, a bluebird day w just enough of a chill and breeze in the air to keep rehyrdration needs reasonable w just a base layer on the ascent (exception being the upper mountain where wind dropped to nil in the crater while becoming moderate-to-strong on the ridge - shocker given NWerly and approaching weather - while also developing an intermittant-becoming-consistent whiteout late in the day). Excellent travel conditions except also upper mountain where crampon balling occurred w just about every step at that hour and may have just missed an enjoyable ski descent in Mazama Chute itself.

No cracking, whumping, collapsing or other underfoot flags or signs of recent avy activity. W primarily NW winds, noticed no significant rock or rime fall near my route except on aspects subject to solar radiation all day long (ie Castle Crags) w a bit of Hot Rocks adjacent rime/rock sloughing.

Especially given how outdated this info will be after today’s storm, annotated pics focus on travel conditions and hazards for a less stable day (plus Reid crevasse location comparison pics).