Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Successful summit of Mt Ellinor. Started on road about 1700’. As far as a AWD SUV could go. Soft snow. Required snow shoes by 2000’.
4400’ feet as we approached the winter route chute we dig one small hand pit to test upper snowpack. Down 6”, 12”, 18” was firm and did not pull away. Ultimately just pulled a block/ball off. Good snowman material. 1;00 pm. Did not check specifically for frozen or grapple layers but seemed consolidated with tracking pole probe.

Observing the chute we did not see new rollerballs on the south facing slopes. Was mostly sunny and warm. Without snowshoes it was easily knee deep post-holing. Old rollerballs were present but had been snowed on. Maybe 2-3 days old? Tiny new rollers but minimal. Some older small slides off the walls of the chute.

At 5000’ -6000’ summit (2:30pm) still no signs of rollerballs. Some snow was looking shiny. Still soft. The chute felt very solid. No cracks seen. Glissaded down starting 3:00pm. Responded like spring corn snow. As the first one down I just pushed a pillow in between legs. Did not cause any residual sliding. Suspect if new snow were to fall before a freeze it should bond.