-New storm snow and cold temps kept upper 50cm of snowpack dry and loose.
-Wind affected areas compacted snow with a dry, light 1-2mm layer in exposed ridge line aspects.
Observation: Turnagain
Location: Sunburst, Ridgeline, Alpine
10:30-Standard Approach skintrack towards Ridgeline benches.
Conducted Snowpack Tests, followed by 4 laps along ridgeline and southern face.
Deep!
No incidents occurred. Approx 20 people observed with tracks all the way to the upper corniced ridge.
Observer Comments
Weather
10:30- calm winds from N, -3°F, BKN trending towards OVC. NO Precip
11:30- Wind shifted from N to E, Sporadic from 5-15mph. S-1
12:00- OVC, Calm Winds from E, S-1
13:00- S1, OVC but pockets of blue.
Good visibility after 13:00
14:00- Temps from 0-10°F
15:45- OVC, Calm winds from east, S-1
Snow surface
Consistent 25-50cm of fresh snow from the New Years Storm and continuing precip throughout the day.
Surface Hoar with 1-2mm feathers were visible from the parking lot (900ft) all the way to 1,400ft, with fresh Stellars visible on surface above 1,400ft.
Southern and Western aspects were loaded with strong variance of HS depths due to wind scouring and transport.
Overall Deep Powder for now.
Snowpack
Snowpit OBS: 12:00
EL 2,800 ft
W Aspect, 33° Slope, -5 to -10°F,
OVC, S-1, VF 1,400-2,000ft
Ski/ BT PEN: 70cm/50cm
HS 173cm
Tests:
STE 50cm down on SH/Stellars
STM 90cm down on MF Layer (LOC)
CT12 Q3 27cm down
CT16 Q2 60cm down
CT19 Q2 90cm down on MF
ECTN19 Q2 60cm down
ECTN25 Q2 90cm on MF, (LOC)
Hardness Profile: 2,800 ft, W Aspect, 33° Slope,
STE 50cm down on SH/ Stellars
ECTN25 Q2 90cm down on CBSH MF Crust layer