Clouds are streaming in from the south, bringing a chance for light snow to develop later this morning. Temperatures are in the low teens and southeast winds blow 15-30 mph along the high peaks. Riding and turning conditions are a bit hit or miss, but among the old tracks, sun and wind crusts, there's still plenty of cold, settled powder on wind sheltered, shady slopes.
Above is hourly data from Trial Lake (9,945') along with recent wind data from Windy Peak (10,662'). To view more regional weather stations click
here.
A beautifully detailed pit submitted by JG who was in Smith-Moorehouse yesterday. His pit stability tests, failure on the early January snow which has faceted, confirm a suspicious layer to keep an eye on, especially as a series of storms sets its sights on the range this week. More on his travels are found
here.
Meanwhile, Ted and I spent the day troubleshooting our weather station network on Lofty Lake Peak, where the views helped distract the biting sting of exposing glove-less hands to a tiny screwdriver and crescent wrench dexterity test... we failed miserably :(
No new avalanche activity to report. However, on Sunday, Andy and Bo stomped around the south half of the range, noting a widespread, midweek avy cycle. The viddy above clearly illustrates a weak, midpack layer that lit up with last weeks big storm. With more snow, water, and wind slated for this week, it's a layer to to keep and eye on, especially as it gets buried deeper in our pack.
Check out their well documented and very detailed trip report
here. Solid work men!