Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Felt comfortable with a fairly simple avalanche problem and planned to ski off the west side of east peak. Encountered NWAC folk digging a pit and gave us some good info about facet crust combo to look out for.

As I gained elevation, I felt comfortable with what I was feeling in the snow. Right side up, no signs of recent avalanches, no cracking and collapsing.

Nearly 3/4 up the slope, I switched to a more solar aspect where the crust and facets were far more pronounced. Thinner snowpack and greater temperature gradient with thicker crust? As I gained in elevation, wind deposit became more evident and more slabby. I saw shooting cracks and a skin track collapse and no longer felt comfortable and turned around.

As temps warm and/or new storm snow begins to settle and consolidate, it will be interesting to see how the snowpack reacts.