Strengthening Wind Slabs and Warming on Incline Lake Peak

We went to Incline Lake Peak to check out the significant cornice failure reported in this observation and look for any lingering signs of wind slab instability. We also thought the sunnier aspects would show how quickly wet snow might form this afternoon. 

A solid overnight refreeze left firm conditions on the slopes that had seen sun yesterday. These areas held a mix of exposed crusts and patches of shallow storm snow. Once we moved into the more sheltered terrain on the N-facing side of the peak, we found consistent 1-2 inches of soft snow on top of a 3-4 inch thick supportable layer of very dense snow. Below 8800 ft, we could even feel a thin rain crust just below the surface. As we skinned up, we saw surface hoar in most open areas.

The large cornice collapse was evident off the top of the peak. Car-sized blocks and debris extended into the trees 100-200 ft below the ridge. We found a safe area to examine the wind slab on a test slope adjacent to the cornice failure. Tests showed that it is getting more difficult to trigger this wind slab as it and the snow below it gain strength, but it may still be possible in some places today (ECTP 26 and ECTP 30).

On our way down at 1 pm, we returned to the sun-exposed slopes and found about an inch of soft wet snow above a dense layer of supportable snow. We did not see any signs of wet loose instabilities at this time.