Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Traveled mostly on SW and W aspects up to 5500 ft. We found ~5-8" storm snow with little evidence of wind effect below 5000 ft, but found numerous pockets of stiffer wind deposited snow above 5000 ft and near ridges. Bonding to the underlying crust was decent in open areas but definitely variable, and overall worse in the trees making challenging skinning. We were unable to get smaller wind pockets to crack or propagate in skin track tests. We avoided steeper start zones with obvious wind deposited snow at upper elevations. Found the best skiing in open sheltered areas well away from ridges, and at lower angles to minimize hitting the crust. Coverage below 4000 ft is still early season conditions with plenty of non-snow hazards still out there.

Winds were light to moderate at upper elevations, with some blowing snow observed. Light snow in the morning with a few breaks in the action. Snowing steady again by around 2 pm.