Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Conditions below treeline were extremely stable (generally pencil hard or harder) and low coverage (<2’). Boot penetration below 3.2k’ was <6” at most. Above 3.2k’ the sun and rain exposed snow was a bit less consolidated (4F-1F), so snowshoeing was easier. By afternoon, sun exposed facets (<1mm) were just starting to become corn snow. There were minimal rollerballs as well. Morning was overcast/obscured, but became partly sunny later in the afternoon. We could clearly see the Chiwawa drainage and Badlands, but Stevens was obscured. Wind was calm in the morning and became breezier too (10+ mph sustained; 20+ mph gusts). I observed some wind transport at 3.7k’ or so, despite temps. Wind was NNWerly all day. Side note: surface snow was super consolidated and hid holes on road extremely well; we found some old ones that were over 1’ deep (biggest hazard for us yesterday). Crampons would have worked best below treeline (microspikes were failing to purchase on steep hillside).