Professional Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Key Points

We toured up to bout 10,500′ in the Lee Vining area and encountered a full range of surface conditions.  Leaving the car it was immediately clear that we received a weak refreeze at lower elevations. surface snow below 8,000′ was already moist and punchy. Moist surface grains were encountered on solar aspects up to about 10,000′ and even on shader aspects below 9000′ or so. I was able to find one area where I was able to initiate decent-sized pinwheels but for the most part, I found the surface warming to be inconsequential. in fact, the sun softened snow provided the most pleasant skiing and riding experience of the day.

Signs of recent strong winds were observed everywhere today including tree debris scattered on the snow surface BTL, large sastrugi, wind scalloped slopes, and bare ground on slopes that were full coverage less than a week ago. However, no signs of instability were observed on our tour today. Minor amounts of Blowing snow were observed off the Dana Plataue as the winds picked up this afternoon. none was observed near or below the treeline.

More present today were the highly variable surface conditions which ranged from very hard and slick wind board above treeline in the aprons of the plateau, breakable wind board for the majority of V bowl propper, and sticky moist snow below 8300′.