Professional Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Bottom Line

Today we toured into the Pyramid Peak zone. We observed from 5,000 to 7,000 feet on the east to south aspects in sheltered and wind-affected terrain.

• In a sheltered bowl at 7,000, the snowpack was 35 inches (85cm) deep.
• Snow surfaces were variable and with a 6-inch (15 cm) thick melt-freeze crust on top below 6,700 feet. These crusts were lying atop soft unconsolidated snow.
• We observed moderate snow transport on upper elevation ridgetops.
• We dug near a wind-affected ridge. This snowpit was seemly devoid of an easily identifiable weak layer. However, we found faceted crystals throughout. We had no significant results in our column and block tests.
• Our primary concern today is the presence of weak surgery snow which may become problematic if the storm this week delivers a rapid load onto this weak structure.