Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Toured up to The Castle and down the south-facing slope. Observed some fairly significant wind effects on the North-facing slopes that extended reasonably far down slope. Where there wasn't wind effect there was a widespread layer of fairly small (3-4mm) surface hoar. This layer was also observed on the South-facing slopes below ridgeline and appeared to survive the sun through the day.

No signs of instability, but we did end up avoiding a few heavily and actively wind loaded and steep entrances on our return (NE-aspects into the main bowl between The Castle and Foss). Below the ridgeline where the wind effects were prominent, skiing was spectacular with soft right-side up snow on both N and S sides of the ridge.

It also looked like winds were ripping on St. Helens with evidence visible around the summit ridgeline all the way from the Tatoosh.