Professional Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Snow Stability

Key Points

Toured in the Convict Lake area today on N thru NW aspects between 8,000′ and about 10,600′. We stuck with simple, low angle terrain and experienced no whumphing, collapsing or cracking in our travels. Probing confirmed weak snow near the base of the snowpack. Without any signs of instability and the low angle nature of our tour we didn’t feel the need to dig in. We found small surface hoar in sheltered locations up to the high point of our tour.

Temps were warmer than we’ve become accustomed to recently, but had no obvious affect on the snow surface. Winds were calm other than a few rogue light gusts that did nothing more than roll some loose snow along the surface.

There are tracks in the major N and E facing gullies on Mono Jim Peak including many in Old Man’s Bowl at this point. No skier triggered avalanches observed in this terrain.

We did observe two recent? (debris looked kinda fresh at least) natural Loose Dry avalanches on our approach through the Tobacco Flat area and the moraines above there. Both were on east facing terrain that was steep, with rocks above. They were both size D1 and speak to the weakening of the surface snow. While the recent storm snow continues to settle, it is faceting at and near the surface, so no surprise that its able to sluff in steep terrain.

D1 Loose dry under E face of Mono Jim.

D1 Loose Dry under E face of Morrison South.