Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

One of those rare days where snowshoes are the perfect tool for the job. Terrain anchors held everything in place, allowing direct routes we'd normally regard with care. Some start zones (see photos below) are now just filled-in enough that terrain will no longer be certain to hold snow in place with subsequent storms.

Weather was very fine -- calm winds and filtered sunshine made for great views and easy travel. Chilly in the woods in the afternoon as we returned home; felt like winter. If they close the road to Windy Pass, the upper parts of the road will begin to form a fine base for XC travel -- for now, it is rutted with vehicle tracks.

At all elevations, we found a density-bump in the snow that corresponded with Saturday's warming later in the day, but no instability noted. Solar aspects shed the occasional soft pinwheel as we descended.