We did not observe any obvious signs of instability, but a dense slab over facets and crusts is not a snowpack structure that I trust.
It was mostly sunny this morning in the WRV. Convective clouds began to build by mid-morning. It was snowing lightly on the Pass by noon. Spotty snow squalls were underway in the Boulders and Smokys on the drive up. Snowfall and wind generally increased throughout the tour although both were intermittent. Heavy snow came in short bursts. Wind blew light for the most part but increased to moderate from the W in the late afternoon.
We were on a quick weather station maintenance mission but did dig two quick pits near crowns from the 3/14 avalanche cycle.
N @ 8,400 (see photo). ECTXs. Propagation on the weak layer that caused the avalanche took an extra 27 hits from the shoulder.
SE @ 9,400, HS = 150 cm (see photo). ECTXs and one ECTN down about 30 cm. There were multiple crusts in this pit down 57 cm, 77 cm, and 103 cm. Facets below the lowest crust (also the bed surface) propagated with an extra 6 and 17 hits from the shoulder.
Slab depths above the February facets around Titus Ridge ranged from roughly 80-110 cm where we looked. This range is consistent with other recent slab depths on shaded slopes near Warm Springs, Baker Creek, and Hyndman Creek. ECTXs with propagation after additional hits from the shoulder were also recorded in those locations.
Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
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Layer Depth/Date: 80-110 cm Comments: Shaded where observed. ECTXs, weak layer propagation only after several additional hits from the shoulder. |
We traversed one sunny slope in the low 30s. We avoided avalanche terrain otherwise.