Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Terrain: Morning tour from Heather Meadows to Mazama Bowl and back. Exited the field by 11:30 am.

Avalanche: Widespread natural wet loose activity (D1) from 3/16 on steep solar aspects near and above treeline. Human-triggered loose dry sluffs in steep northerly terrain above 4000ft. No glide avalanches, but a handful of glide cracks visible in the surrounding terrain, most notable of which were on the south face of Mt. Sefrit.

Snowpack: 4-6in of cold, dry, settled snow with little wind effect on northerly aspects above 4000ft. Well bonded to 3/14 interface. Smooth and supportable melt-freeze crust on south aspects which significantly softened in the sun by 10:30 am. Good ski quality on north (powder) and south (corn) aspects. East and west aspects presented less developed melt-freeze crusts that were breakable and grabby. Good snowpack stability during the first half of the day.

Weather: Sunny, clear skies early with thin high-level clouds developing by 9-10 am. Strong solar radiation. Temperatures warmed to the mid-40s F by late morning. Light southerly winds and no blowing snow.