Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 21, 2022 - January 21, 2022Submitted:
January 21, 2022Observer:
Barbara Wanner | Key ObserverZone or Region:
June LakeLocation:
Yost Mdw area to Four SeasonsSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
Very GoodConfidence in Rating:
HighStability Trend:
SteadyAdvanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Partly CloudyTemperature:
below freezingWind:
Moderate , N
High winds at ridge top elevations and a big cloud bank over the mountains above Yost meadow along with below freezing temps made for a very cold day. T air at 9200 ft at 941 was – 8° C. BTL wind speeds were in the moderate range droping to light after noon. We found pretty good shelter from the winds in the trees.
Snowpack Observations
Skied soft snow ( recrystallized pow ) in all the forests on NW- N- NE aspects. Well developed 
surface hoar covered the sheltered, southern part of Yost meadow and the snow surface in the less wind affected N to NE facing trees just above the meadow. HS at 9270 ft. is 120 cm . The snow surface in the forests is covered with branches, twigs, pine needles and pine cones. Even rocks up in Yost Bowl. We skied down Four Seasons and still found many enjoyable turns in soft snow on steeper, sheltered slopes. But the winds left the snow surface especially littered with tree branches and pine needles. The last few hundred feet above the cabins are pretty much survival skiing. Refrozen old ski tracks with the occasional soft turn that ends abruptly in breakable crust.
In more open areas such as the upper part of Yost Bowl and Dream Bowl or any open area there is firm and edge-able snow to be skied.
Definitely need ski crampons even on relatively low angle but firm slopes.
