Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

A lot of the snowpack has disappeared over the past week (since my prior report when heading up Cowboy Mt). The recent Pineapple Express and hydrologic input seems to have decimated much of the snow below treeline which was untouched.

I stuck to low coverage snow/duff when climbing up Double Diamond with snowshoes/boots yesterday. I didn't venture out on slopes greater than 35° with appreciable snowpack because of uncertainty over stability (the snow was sliding a lot under my snowshoes). I was less concerned with getting buried and more concerned with falling into a creek or other terrain trap.

Once I got up to the top of Big Chief I noticed a lot of wet loose activity, bordering on wet slab in some respects. I didn't dig a put to confirm my theory though since I was speed snowshoeing in wet/cold conditions.

Lots of water was running down the PCT below Crest Trail/Tye Bowl/Wild Katz Trail. I postholed to ground over running water once coming down Crest Trail ~1.5', which was the forcing function for me to get on to the PCT instead of wandering down the slopes towards Tye Chair/Promenade/Daisy.

Views were very obscured and in the mid-30s all day. There was some breeziness along the ridge, but it was calm for the most part (~5mph).

WTA trip report: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2021-11-27-8352292165