Professional Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Snow Stability

Bottom Line

Today we toured in the southern Bitterroots to east Camas Peak. We hiked from 5000ft to 6000ft in light hiking boots due to little or no snow. From 6000ft, we could skin up the canyon on a supportable crust that remained firm throughout the day.
As we ascended East Camas peak, we found 4 inches of new snow from 3/29 at 8000ft. On east-facing slopes, there were small isolated wind-loaded pockets. The max depth found was 1 foot deep. I was able to pull out a small thin slab 2-4 inches deep and 10x10 ft wide when skiing across the slope below the ridge top.
We found general spring hazards like melted-out pits around boulders, open creek crossings, variable breakable crust below 6500-7000ft, and icy terrain above 8000ft. There is still lots of good skiing in the bitterroots above 6000ft, but it is melting out fast.