Professional Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Snow Stability

Key Points

• Left McGee Trailer Park at 0700, Tair 12deg. After reaching the McGee Campground 500′ higher, Tair was 35deg.
• There was a marginal refreeze, making for easy travel conditions, especially in the lower section of the avalanche path that has slid at some point during the large storm event and was more compacted than the transitional snow on the adjacent flanks.  Ski pen was 0-2cm up to 9800′, and 5-10cm above. Boot pen was 0-10cm up to 9800′, and 15-40 above, depending on how close you got to rocks that were much more faceted underneath the unsupportable surface snow.
• Descended at 1115, which felt at least an hour too late for how poor the overnight refreeze was.
• Ski quality ranged from good, pseudo-corn to heavy wet mush. Large (50cm) diameter rollerballs were easy to kick off, and on steep unsupported slopes it was easy to ski cut small size 1 loose wets, though they only ran 15-20 feet.