Observation 1/29/2025 local_see
Stable Snowpack, Potential Future Wind Slab Problem
Cruciflyer
Observation Details
The snowpack on Cruciflyer seems stable to the ground, a small facet layer near the ground but it was not reactive in testing, and seems to be inconsistently distributed. The slide is wind-loaded, as expected, with evidence of wind slab forming at higher elevations, as shown in the picture (loading above the bottom pitch of the slide).
The top ~30cm of new snow is soft and light, ~90cm below is consistently more solid. Bottom ~10cm is either consistent with the snow above it or slightly faceted where it contacts the ice flow.
We made the decision to ski only below the gun barrel, knowing that new snow was falling and wind was actively loading the slide, especially at higher elevations, but it was great and we saw no evidence of reactive snow.
Observation Photos
Wind Slab developing open_in_new full size
Above the bottom pitch of the slide, wind was loading this area more than others, and the soft slab is developing but not reactive, yet.