No Red Flag signs of instability were observed. We did see some recent sluffing, very small (not large enough to bury a person) point releases on steep terrain along Magnum's North ridge.
Observation: Turnagain
Location: Taylor Pass to Pastoral
Started at Sunburst parking lot, Taylor Pass to Pastoral, 4500′
Observer Comments
Weather
Sunny
15F-20F
Calm winds
No Precip
Snow surface
There is 4"-6"low density snow distributed pretty evenly at most elevations. This snow is becoming faceted, weak and unconsolidated.
Below 2500' this snow is sitting on a hard m/f crust
Above2500' this snow is sitting on a dense slab, except along ridge lines where it sits on scoured surfaces
*Along wind exposed ridges the surface snow is shallower, denser (slightly wind affected.) Surface hoar was found on along ridge above 4000'
Snowpack
Pit at 4500' on Pastoral, HS=105cm, North aspect, 35* slope, Tests: ECTX
Test pit was unreactive, but poor structure exists. the first 15cm is 2-3mm basel facets below a P hard slab. See photo diagram for details. Height of snow on the North side of Pastoral near Pit location varied from 90cm-200cm.
Height of snow along the glacier below Pastoral varied from 180cm-220cm (Thanks L. Sass!)
Lots of new tracks on Sunburst. This was taken in the morning.
View looking towards Taylor Pass
Several small natural sluffs on Basketball Chute on a North aspect of Magnum
North aspect of Pastoral. Pit location is along lookers left ridge.
Pit on a North aspect of Pastoral at 4500'
Ridgeline of Pastoral
Para-motor user above Turnagain Pass