Public Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Skied from the lower Gash Creek trailhead to the south bowl of Gash. AM was calm and mild transitioning to cold and gusty by 3pm. Prevailing winds aloft were out of the south but lots of unsettled air and snow was drifting in all directions in this lee terrain, gusts would switch 180deg, carrying plenty of snow. We found lots of snow available for transport above 7000ft, in less than an hour our skin track was reburied with drifting snow. The new and drifting snow seems to be landing on a variety of surfaces, from very firm wind board and crusts (mostly confined to southerly aspects) to unconsolidated new and old snow (found in protected pockets).

While touring we found it hard to isolate specific aspects that received more loading or scouring from the wind. In ten yards we would tour from firm wind slab to soft snow to old snow surface. Near 8000 ft these wind slabs were hard enough to crack, but it took some effort to get them to move- see photo. They seemed to be sliding on an old wind slab/facet combo and varied in depth from 6in to 3ft. I'm sure these wind slabs are only growing with more snow and wind on the way and it was challenging to predict where exactly we would find them.

However, the skiing was surprisingly good considering the variation in the snow. Egress was a breeze with great coverage to the lower trailhead and we were able to drive to the lower trailhead without issue.