Professional Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Key Points

Toured from 5700′ to 12650′ today on NE and E aspects on Mount Tom.

Solid refreeze overnight, all surfaces were firm and frozen up to 11,400 at 10am. Boot pen increasing to 15cm on steeper solars as the intense radiation made short work of the softening.

Above 11,400 N, NE aspects still holding cold wind affected winter snow. Steep E facing slopes at this elevation that had not previously avalanched were a bit mushy and it was easy to ski cut small size .5 loose wet sluffs in confined features. Lower angle and lower elevation slopes were more predictable and have undergone a more consistent melt-freeze cycle.