Warm temperatures have added to the complexity of an already weak snowpack.
On polar aspects, the entire snowpack remains faceted, with any previous crusts or near-ground layering continuing to break down. On solar aspects, the snow surface is developing more of a crust. While this crust is generally supportable on skis, it is not fully supportable once someone steps off. Below the crust, the snow remains weak and faceted.
As we move into a period of precipitation, a significant new load could lead to widespread avalanches on polar aspects. What remains less clear is how much loading, and over what timeframe, it would take to see avalanches step through the crust and into the weak snow on solar aspects as well.
The generally straightforward polar snowpit - different layers of facets. Grizzly Gulch - NW - 9200'
One of the few pinwheels from the day - 9300'
