Slowly building wind slabs from previous few days were unreactive. Bigger concern is added stress to weak layers underneath.
Steady strong NW winds above 10,000', calm to light wind down to 9,000', calm below. Thin, low clouds kept skies overcast to obscured. Good bit of clearing near sunset. Snowing S-1 flurries in the afternoon, total accumulation of around 2cm. Wet and rimey up high, with rime accumulating on clothes, skin, backpack, rocks, snow, etc.
Went looking for 12/31 interface problems on solars, not nearly enough of a slab on top in this location (yet). 12/31 presented as 1cm layer of facets, producing dirty shears in hand pits and ECTNs in the single digits on a southerly aspect. Suspect this layer will be most problematic where slopes are steep enough to have allowed solar radiation to build a crust. Bits of SH found in pit were on top of MFcr and accompanied by 1-3mm FC (down 60cm where HS=70cm). This layer was pretty irregular thanks to proximity to the ground, but still produced CPST results around 20/100 END. Slab above lacks strength and is significantly faceted. Weak interfaces in the snowpack really haven't been significantly tested but I don't expect them to react well once they get a significant storm. Large, wide slide between Lorenzo and Easley following 12/31 storm could be a hint of whats to come when we get a few inches of water. Might not have to wait long to find out.
Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
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Persistent Slab |
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Comments: MFcr capped with FC/SH near the ground (down 60/70cm) and mid pack FC layers are both concerning. Lack of slab makes stability assessment challenging, but structure is pretty ugly. |
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Wind Slab |
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Comments: Wind slabs were generally unreactive where I found them, unless they were fresh, fairly stiff and sitting on icy, alpine surfaces. Underlying persistent problems would keep me out of the terrain where you might be able to trigger these slabs. |