Observation: Summit

Location: Tenderfoot

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Traveled up Tenderfoot to treeline. Skied westsouthwest and west aspects. Heavy storm snow.

Red Flags
Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.
Obvious signs of instability
Recent Avalanches?Yes
Collapsing (Whumphing)?No
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?Yes
Observer Comments

New storm snow cracking under skis. South Wilson had a fresh fracture line seen from highway; windslab/storm snow.

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

Moderate to heavy snowfall through 2pm. NE wind stripping and loading at ridge tops. 0C air temp at 2300' at 1pm. Skies broke in the afternoon.

Snow surface

Rain/snow mixed to ~1500'. 5cm moist surface snow up to 2500'. Wind affected and drifted at treeline and above.

Snowpack

15-20cm overnight snow. 75-115cm storm snow settling and rounding fast. Laid over, but intact SH found 115cm and 135cm down. CTM (RP) down 35cm at storm density change from 1F to 4F. DTV (Q1) on 3mm SH down 115cm. DT11 (Q1) on 7mm SH down 135cm. Took off upper 60cm looking for propagation: deep ECTP13 down 115cm, deep ECTP30+ down 135cm.