Observation: Summit

Location: SE Summit Pass

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

800′ – HS 45, supportable rain crust under 4-6cm, marked rain runnels, LOUD skiing
1000′-1350′ HS 70-80cm, crust becomes unsupportable
2100′- HS 100cm, 10-15cm soft snow over MF crust (12/4)
2650′- notable wind effect increasing to Ridgeline
inversion and wind shear increase in valley throughout the day

Red Flags
Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.
Observer Comments

Strong snow over weak snow at ground
low density snow immediately above 12/4 crust

Weather & Snow Characteristics
Please provide details to help us determine the weather and snowpack during the time this observation took place.
Weather

new snow after obvious prior rain
clear, cool, light breeze in the alpine
Obvious storm front to the South
a zephyr of warm air @ 1215h

Snow surface

increasing new snow with elev. and disappearance of 12/8 rain crust
1-1.5cm SSE wind skin above 2650'

Snowpack

3 pits w/in 30' radius high variability, all showed strong 1F slab over F basal facets (4-4.5mm)
100cm pit - ECTN, STE @ ground
80cm pit - ECTP24, CT16, STE @ ground
50cm pit - ECTP14, CT1, STE @ ground
Watch out for the thin part(s) of the slab!

Photos & Video
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