We were more concerned with shallow snow hazards than avalanche concerns. The only signs of instability we encountered were very isolated persistent slabs in previously wind-affected terrain.
Basically, there is a bunch of really weak, shallow snow out here. I'd expect avalanches with any decent load of new snow. The main layers to watch will be the 12/7 surface hoar on the aspects noted below, as well as a likely touchy interface at the current snow surface. SW-S-SE aspects are mainly dirt or the snow is shallow enough that we're not likely to see a well-connected weak layer.
Clear skies with light and intermittent wind. Inverted temperatures. Below freezing at the car and guessing near 20F by 7500'.
Current Surface:
Generally, trashed facets and surface hoar. Surface hoar in shaded and sheltered NW-N-NE from 6-7500'. Not found above.
12/11 Facets and Surface Hoar:
Also more prominent in shaded NW-N-NE. Fist slab above and below. This layer doesn't seem to be a likely player with future storms.
12/7 Surface Hoar and Facets (pictured):
This is the layer to watch in this zone. It presented as surface hoar up to 1.5 cm but also as a stripe of near-surface facets on W-aspects.
Pre-Thanksgiving Snow:
We did find pre-TG snow here. The old depth hoar was welded into a MFcr at the ground. Not a concern.
Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Persistent Slab |
|
Layer Depth/Date: 12/7 Comments: This is currently only a concern in very isolated, previously wind-loaded locations. I added it here as the primary layer to watch with any additional loading. |
We made run selections based more on coverage than avalanche concerns.