Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
March 22, 2022 - March 22, 2022Submitted:
March 22, 2022Observer:
Geoff Unger | Key ObserverZone or Region:
June LakeLocation:
The NegativesSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
YesCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedWe toured to the Negatives in hopes of finding softening surfaces today. We got those and more. Glopping and roller balls started around 11AM. By the time we dropped in at 1:30 they were rolling off of every turn, but did not get much momentum except in the steepest part of our South facing run. See separate avalanche observation.
Snow Stability
Stability Rating:
GoodConfidence in Rating:
HighStability Trend:
SteadyKey Points
Timing is an important factor. Even with relatively warm night time temperatures we are getting a light freeze under clear skies. As the day warms the surface snow starts to soften and move under you. Getting an early start and moving off of steep South facing terrain before the heat of the day is a good way to avoid getting knocked off your feet by unstable snow.
Media
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
ClearWind:
Light , NE
Very mild to warm temperatures today. The NE wind was only present at ridge top.
Snowpack Observations
Here is a summary of what we saw today.
- 10 AM on NW Aspect, Boot penetration was just a few centimeters.
- 11 AM in the Hourglass we saw our first roller balls from the skin track on an East Aspect
- Pole Drag around 12PM on a lower angle, south facing bench showed some weaker snow underneath a thin Melt Freeze Crust
- In the middle of our ascent of the Hourglass we saw some interesting wind rolls in a sheltered pocket.
- 1 PM on a NW Aspect walking across the top of the Negatives we found soft, wintery snow ~11,000 feet
- 1:30 PM as we stepped back onto the snow to put our board on we saw some roller balls/pinwheels starting at the top of our run.
- In the South facing run itself we had roller balls moving from each turn, but not entraining much snow.
- We were back to June ski area by 3PM