Observation: Summit

Location: Fresno SE Ridge

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Noon start at Manitoba. Ascended the SE ridge of Fresno to a high point of 4200′. Experienced unsupportable isothermal snow for most of the approach with some dry ground booting on the upper portion of the ridge. No evidence of recent snow from the last few days. We found dry settled powder on direct North facing slopes, and hot pow higher up (3500′-4000′) on West facing.

Red Flags
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Obvious signs of instability
Recent Avalanches?No
Collapsing (Whumphing)?Yes
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?No
Observer Comments

We experienced a whumph ascending the ridge on multiple layers of crusts sitting on top of bottomless isothermal facets. We also experienced a whumph around 3600' on drier snow where the sun was just starting to take affect. We noted rollerballs off heating cornices and debris falling off heating rocks in shaded terrain.

Weather & Snow Characteristics
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Weather

Mostly sunny for most of the day ending with light cloud cover later in the afternoon.

Photos & Video
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