Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Sunny day, winds light/moderate at the ridgetops. Solar aspects got warm enough to soften the crust.

SH 1 cm or greater on north aspects, especially near the Reflection Lakes fog-machine, even among the trees. Windblown and crusty above treeline. Ski crampons removed the stress of skinning on occasional glare ice. When this crust is buried, it may be a great bed surface.

Skiing on S, W aspects exceeded poor expectations, generally mediocre with the occasional good turn. It was a welcome surprise to see a neighboring party sniff out a line of nine good turns on an otherwise-firm slope we had just skied. North-side skiing was loud above treeline but generally edgeable. In the trees was soft but crusty.

The only stark signs of avalanches visible on Tahoma were from icefall off the Nisqually Ice Cliff. No loose wet activity observed.

-- Hagedorn