Public Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Two days ago, I ventured to the top of Nambe and observed obvious cross loading on the top of some chutes, wind scour in others. The snow in the trees at that time appear to have developed slablike characteristics, and lacked cohesion all the way to the ground. I traveled for the ravens area looking for unconsolidated snow and to avoid the wind slab problem that I encountered in the high alpine. In my line experienced unconsolidated snow, all the way to the ground that exhibited some dry loose characteristics, in agreement with the forecast. Coverage was a variable and I hit a rock or two. At the bottom of my line, there is less tree coverage, and I intended to ski the second lap in one of the areas with less tree coverage. While climbing, for my second lap, I saw a shooting crack develop at the site of one of my kick turns. Kick turns in this area revealed a somewhat sensitive wind slab. I didn’t have very much confidence in the distribution of this layer, and I retreated to a different aspect.