Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Morning ski tour in Bennett Pass area. 12+" of fresh snow from Friday's storm - snow is wetter and heavier than the recent dry powder we've been enjoying. Heard MHM avy mitigation charges going off all morning. We dug a pit on a N aspect at 4800'. Found a change in density from F to 1F around 70 cm deep, with a ~5-10cm thick ice crust 130 cm down. Stability test ECTN24, fractured ~30cm deep (interface between old snow and most recent storm snow?). Did not notice any obvious sugary snow or facets at the fracture plane. Skiing conditions: snow was deep, a little wet/heavy, but still very fun. No avalanche activity or signs of instability observed, however by mid-morning to mid-day tree bombs started falling quite frequently as it warmed up.