Surface snow is unconsolidated (facets) and capable of sluffing in steeper terrain.
Observation: Turnagain
Location: Sunburst
Taylor Creek to Taylor Pass, then north following ridge to Sunburst Weather Station
Observer Comments
Weather
-8°F - 12°F
Clear
Calm
Snow surface
10 - 30cm of unconsolidated facets
New Years crust (below the surface facets) up to 2500' in Taylor Creek drainage
Some areas with wind effected surface
Snowpack
Sunburst (off main ridge south of weather station)
3650'
west aspect
31 degree slope
HS 100
ECTX
Hardness profile:
Surface: 5mm thick wind effected skin
100-70 F
70-65 4f
65-40 1F
40-10 P
10-8 4F
8-0 1F
Minimal signs of wind effected surface conditions looking toward Seattle Ridge from Taylor Creek. 1.18.20 Photo: CNFAIC archive
A variety of crystal types on the surface between 1000'-2000' including surface hoar, rimed stellars and this mix including 2cm rimed needles. 1.18.20 Photo: CNFAIC archive
Obvious signs of wind effected snow and scouring. This photo is looking southwest from Taylor Pass.
Small and isolated wind slabs on lee aspect (west) of Taylor Pass. We didn't find slab thicker than 6cm (~2.5"). 1.18.20 . Photo: CNFAIC archive
Looking toward Kickstep Mountain from Taylor Pass. Zoom in for signs of wind effected surface conditions. 1.18.20 . Photo: Heather Thamm
Looking toward the Library from the Sunburst weather station. 1.18.20 . Photo: Heather Thamm
1mm near surface facets from testpit. 1.18.20 . Photo: Heather Thamm
2mm near surface facets. These were found near a thin rocky outcrop 25' away from the testpit. 1.18.20 . Photo: Heather Thamm
Looking back toward Magnum from lower Taylor Creek - still evidence of an old slab avalanche near ridge line, plus recent skier triggered sluff lower down. 1.18.20 . Photo: Heather Thamm