Persistant Weak Layers

This seasons snowpack may be shaping up as a dangerous snowpack capable of large to the ground avalanches. The snow that fell first was followed by a cold clear conditions which lead to a layer of surface hoar that has been covered by the last set of storms. I'm really concerned that the last few day may cause a sun crust to form which may make it very unlikely that future storms cycles will be able to effect the weak layer which is closest to the ground. Last week I headed up to Lookout Pass and Freezeout Ridge. Snowpack conditions were similar at both locations with a weak layer of facets near the ground with anywhere from 10-20 inches of denser snow on top.



St. Regis Basin 12-1-11

Up at Freezeout, surface hoar crystals were already forming.

Surface Hoar Crystals Freezeout Ridge 11-29-11



Please feel free to send observation in and be careful out there folks!