24-25

Snow and dirt at History Rock on November 14, 2024. Photo: GNFAC

I went for a quick lap up PK today. Considering my car said 7 degrees Celsius in the parking lot, I was surprised by how soon I ran into dry surface snow on my way up. In sheltered areas approx 7000ft and higher I found 5-10 cm dry snow on a mostly supportive crust on N through E aspects. I didn't closely observe other aspects. At mid-elevations (~7300-7700) winds were moderate with moderate snow transport. Above and below this I experienced light winds and saw evidence of previous wind transport. I travelled to just above PK (~7950).

Dug a quick pit on a NE asp around 7800 ft, and found a mostly right-side-up snowpack with an HS of 40cm. Skiing was enjoyable, if not a bit anxiety-inducing when I ventured off the main runs.

From obs: "Toured into a north facing chute at around 9800 ft. Found a thick stubborn wind slab near the ridge that was difficult to trigger and did not really move a whole lot. In the middle of the chute I found a 6 in thick softer wind slab. There was a lot of variability in the snow throughout the upper elevations, and signs of active top and cross loading with gusty, swirling winds."

Ian and I drove up the Langhor Road in Hyalite Canyon in order to access the upper meadows of History Rock. We wrapped around and intersected with the trail in the mid-elevation meadows. Snow depths varied from 0" to 18." We toured into the middle of the three ski meadows before stopping to assess how the season's thin snowpack is evolving. The snowpack has a relatively simple, three layer structure. The lowest layer is beginning to show signs of weakening (faceting). However, the foundation of the snowpack was looking pretty good for now. ECTX. While we are optimistic for now, the snowpack is thin and can change quickly this time of year. There was evidence of wind in the History Rock area, this has likely built wind-slabs at higher elevations and more open terrain. 

The critical piece of information is that at mid to upper elevations the ground is mostly covered and we have a layered snowpack. We will stay tuned to how the snowpack evolves and how well subsequent storms bond to what we have on the ground. 

From obs: "6-18" of coverage most areas in the Flanders drainage

Warming temperatures early in the afternoon were sending significant wet sloughs down Bobo and Big Sleep as witnessed from across the valley

Warming temperatures were creating perfect wet snow conditions for impressively large pinwheels on steeper solar aspects."