Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Inbounds day at Stevens, with a sojurn out into lift-accessed backcountry to ascertain why nobody else was out there.

2-6 cm of new snow at all elevations. Flake/grain size at the surface this morning was relatively large, perhaps mixed with SH and rime in places. Sunbreaks through the morning today made solar-aspect snow a little heavier.

Plenty of signs of substantial wind/transport with easterly flow. Ridges are scoured down to an edgeable/rimed crust. Cornices point both ways, but the new ones point west.

Digging into the snow along a ridgetop turned up some faceted snow among many wind-effected layers.

Skiing shallow slopes near the ridgetop was okay. At higher elevations, sheltered open slopes held nice snow. As we entered the trees, however, we discovered the answer to our question -- tree-bombed forest skiing is most-unpleasant. Especially so at lower elevations. Anyone considering the likes of Yodelin before we get any new snow should approach with extremely low expectations.

Instability: A little cracking here and there at the ridgelines; we diverted around all start zones. Looking across the highway to Moonlight/Skyline, it appeared that some slopes had experienced at least some loose-dry activity. The south side of Mill Valley also appeared to have recent/chunky debris.