CAIC Observation Report
SnowpackDominic Rickicki ยท Mar 23, 2022
Weather
3/22 - Light to moderate winds from the east. Snow rate up to S2 by 3pm 3/23 - blowing snow observed on ridgelines from north winds. In the Tyndall Gorge area winds were light with moderate gusts. Clear skies and warm sun.
Snowpack
3/22 - In an isolated Couloir ATL, S aspect 35-45+ degrees, we found protected powder snow where the walls shaded the feature, and some sun crusts on the more solar side of the feature. No major faceting observed. Most of the run did not show slab characteristics until the top 200 feet where we found a 3-4inch windslab on top of a crust. The windslab was not bonded to the crust. Being above a no-fall zone we turned around and skied the rest of the line in pleasant soft snow.
3/23 - Dragontail Couloir. 30-40 degrees SE Aspect ATL. Biggest concern was surface instability from the previous afternoons storm. The deeper snowpack felt uniform and supportable, no faceting observed. Upper pack was a stout suncrust with anywhere from trace to 6 inches of new snow on top. slab characteristics of the new snow was variable, with some cracking in isolated locations, but not enough propagation for us to turn. Biggest concern as we climbed was the new snow warming. On the descent around 12:230pm the snow was beginning to have that hot pow feel and slough insignificantly on the crust below. Any later and more significant wet loose slides would have occurred. Biggest concern on southerlies in RMNP for me at the moment is new snow with slab characteristic on top of these crusts, especially with warming. Another concern is skiability of the crusts in serious terrain.
3/23 - Dragontail Couloir. 30-40 degrees SE Aspect ATL. Biggest concern was surface instability from the previous afternoons storm. The deeper snowpack felt uniform and supportable, no faceting observed. Upper pack was a stout suncrust with anywhere from trace to 6 inches of new snow on top. slab characteristics of the new snow was variable, with some cracking in isolated locations, but not enough propagation for us to turn. Biggest concern as we climbed was the new snow warming. On the descent around 12:230pm the snow was beginning to have that hot pow feel and slough insignificantly on the crust below. Any later and more significant wet loose slides would have occurred. Biggest concern on southerlies in RMNP for me at the moment is new snow with slab characteristic on top of these crusts, especially with warming. Another concern is skiability of the crusts in serious terrain.