Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Toured on primarily S-SW aspects between 3200' and 4000'. Quick hand pits and hand sheers displayed right side up, unconsolidated snowpack in the top 60-70 cm. Skiing produced loose dry slough on steeper terrain but snowpack was otherwise unreactive. At the base of a large cliff at approximately 4000' we experienced wind loaded, well consolidated snow. We expected wind loading below cliffs and as soon as we noticed the change in snowpack density we changed our coarse.

Tree wells and submersion were the biggest concerns on lower angle terrain. When bootpacking I was sinking anywhere from knee to waist deep.