Professional Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

I went on an exploratory mission in LV canyon to look for soft, north facing snow. From the V-Bowl parking I skinned SE along  flat terrain for about 0.7 mi until I started climbing a moraine SW and up. ( Crossing some creeks along the way. ) The sun was affecting snow and ice on SE aspects. Water was dripping off bushes and snow started glopping on my skins when I crossed from dry cold powder into sunny patches. I found soft settled powder on the N facing shoulder above Gibbs Creek in the forest under the shoulder of East Peak. HS above 8000 ft was consistently between 120 and 130 cm. Any open areas were quite wind affected from past winds and there was a thin crust that broke under my skis. It was calm until 1245 and after that there was a light airflow in the forest around 9000 ft. No blowing snow  in the old growth forest BTL. I heard the winds whipping on the shoulder of the East Peak and could see big snow banners off the Dana Crest. I did not see any signs of instability. The N facing snow felt devoid of any energy.

My obs only apply to N- SE aspects BTL.

Snow Stability

Key Points

No wind affect BTL in LV canyon from today’s winds. Start zones off the Dana Plateau getting loaded. Wind Slabs may form a little lower down in the couloirs because of the M to S wind speeds. Open shoulder below East Peak of Dana looks very wind hammered and more snow transport happening this afternoon.