Professional Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Key Points

-After checking Sherwin Creek Rd for access during a period of heavy snowfall this morning and nuking winds, headed to the much more sheltered approach of Forest Trail Knoll.

-Heavy Snowfall lasted until ~11:30, then diminished greatly with even some patches of blue that could be seen thru the clouds.  Winds gusted consistently on the upper SE slopes and ridge top at 8,600′ quite strong out of the SW. Snowfall continued mostly lightly thru most of afternoon.

-2.5ft of new snow so far this storm in sheltered areas (HS=160cm), much more or less depending on wind transport.  A layer of more dense snow was found mid-pack.  ECT tests had some non-propagating failures with medium to hard force in the one spot I dug a pit on NE aspect.

-Fat cornice development at the ridgetop even on this relatively low elevation terrain.  While these were on small inconsequential slopes, they were quite sensitive and you can imagine how they could be on larger more consequential terrain. Seeing them from below is quite obvious, but the following video demonstrates how approaching them from the top could lead to a big surprise, and could be deadly depending on what lies below.

-Dug a pit on a SE aspect at 9,550′.  One ECT test propagated with hard force below a more dense mid-storm layer, another test in same pit did not even fail on this layer.

-Good supportable skiing on both aspects.