Date of Observation: 01/04/2022
Zone: Southeast Mountains
Route Description: Standard Red Lady skin track from the Kebler TH to the Summit.
Observed avalanche activity: No
Avalanches:
Weather: Calm and pleasant at the trailhead. Air temps in the 20’s but wind chill must have been -20 at and above tree-line. Eric said on the radio this morning that the jet stream was going to be dipping in our direction; he was spot on, as it felt like we were actually in the jet stream! Sustained SSW winds in the 30-40mph range with gusts much higher than that. I got blown over once and stopped to brace myself several times. Ended up wearing a puffy and full buff on the climb near and above tree-line, which is rare for me…
Snowpack: We were hoping for some recycled powder in the bowl but were (un)pleasantly surprised to find a widespread and inpenetrable windslab throughout caused by strong down slope winds. I suppose the old tracks rising up and out of the snow should have been a clue. The best turns were down lower and anywhere there was a rippled texture to the snow surface. Although there was plenty of wind, there didn’t seem to be much available snow for transport: the ridges are quite scoured.