Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

We chose conservative terrain today, and traveled in gladed terrain near and below tree line.

On west slopes we found very good ski conditions with sufficient new snow so as to not hit the 1/13 crust. On leeward slopes like this, 40+ cms of increasing density snow from the last few days sits on a thin layer of very weak faceted crystals immediately above the 1/13 rain crust. Additionally, there are 5-10 centimeters of faceted snow below the 1/13 crust. We did not trigger any avalanches, but we triggered several wumphes as traveled, which tells us that it was possible to trigger avalanches in more serious terrain.

On east slopes we found a thinner, slightly wind stiffened snowpack. 15+ cms of wind affected snow from the last few days sits over that same layer of very weak faceted crystals, above the 1/13 crust. These weak facets were sensitive to snowpack tests, and there is indication that with an increased load, this weak layer could allow both initiation and propagation of an avalanche.