Date of Observation: 11/22/2021
Name: Evan Ross
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Route Description: Purple Ridge. NE-E, 9,500-12,000ft.
Observed avalanche activity: No
Avalanches:
Weather: Beautiful day. Calm wind, lots of sun, warm temps. Feels like we are headed into spring.
Snowpack: Ooo snowpack. The skiing is still lovely, but the sun, wind and dry weather are not being kind to what snowpack there is. On a couple east and north facing bowls above treeline, the ski tracks from yesterday that were around 12″ deep, were now raised to the surface of the snow. Those sneaky winds have already been redistributing the recent fresh snow. The sun was creating a moist snow surface on the easterly slopes we traveled and on some northeasterly slopes below treeline. The snowpack structure at the moment can be simplified to just weak. Facets, crusts, plenty of junk.
Pushed on some fresh wind drifts near treeline with no results. No other avalanche concerns observed.
Photos:-
- Northerly facing terrain blow out near ridgeline with wind texture down through the lower terrain
-
- What was a beautiful snow surface yesterday, now touched by the winds and much of the recent snow redistributed.
