Professional Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Snow Stability

Key Points

• Toured on mellow to moderate south facing terrain in Lundy Canyon between 7,800′ and 10,000′ from 11:15 to 1pm.
• Full sunshine (not a cloud), Calm winds with occasional light upslope breeze, and mostly calm at the ridgeline.
• Relatively chilly day, Air temps:
  • 11:45am @ 8,900′ = 0.7°C / 33°F
  • 12:00pm @ 10,000′ = -3.5°C / 26°F
  • 1pm @ 7,200′ = 0.5°C / 33°F
• Shallow snow surface softening. Skin penetration never got more than a couple cm at most, good grippy skinning on the way up and nice smooth spring-like turns on the way down.
  

  Ski penetration on way up at 8,700′ @ 11:30am, SE aspect.

  • 

    Ski-turn penetration on the way down at 8,300′ at 1pm, south aspect.

     

• Above 9,700′ snow surface was melt/freeze sastruggi with patches of very firm moistened smooth windboard.
  • 

Small melt-freeze sastruggi at 9,850′, south aspect.

Not a sign of instability … NO avalanche danger today.   Negotiate firm surfaces with the right timing, tools, skills, or avoidance.