Public Observation

Observation Details

Observations

Beautiful day up in Elderberry, parked at ~5600' and was able to skin from the car to the ESE gully that tops out at 12.3k overlooking Pine Creek. Left at 8AM with temps in the lower 40s. Relatively easy skinning was available as long as you aimed for the recrystallized or sun softened snow, no ski or boot crampons required for my route. From reports from other skiers, and observations along the easterly edge of the headwall gully, snow was softening on due south aspects, but no rollerblading observed. Excellent recrystallized boot deep snow on the north facing bowl from 9500' to 7400'. Skied the due north chute at the mouth of Elderberry on the way out, mix of recrystallized snow, edge-able windboard, and breakable windboard, with a very shallow snow depth. By the time I exited around 3PM the mouth and exit had hardened to breakable and supportable refrozen snow. Beautiful day but we sure do need some snow :-/

Signs of Unstable Snow