Jakes Peak Observations

Around 1-1.5' of new storm snow on Jakes today - mostly light unconsolidated snow with some more dense snow at the beginning of the storm all sitting on top of the previous rain crust from 12/14.  There was a good bond between the storm snow and the rain crust with the storm going from warm to cold.  There was a consistent weakness in the storm snow that was causing large amounts of loose snow avalanches/sluffs in the upper storm snow, about 4-6'' deep.  This was all skier/rider triggered and was running long distances on the east avy paths that ran all the way to the flats.  

While preforming stability tests near crust facets were seen under the 12/14 rain crust.  Several failures occured below the rain crust with CT's and ECT's.  Currently there is not a cohesive slab above this potential weak layer but could become a concern as the large wet storm is due to start on Friday.  The rain crust was 6cm thick around 8600', it was much thicker and could be felt skiing at the lower elevations.

No natural avalanche activity or slab activity seen in this area today.

Photo #1: Loose snow/sluff, skier triggered

Photo #2: Looking up the skiers left side East Avy path.  Skier triggered sluff/loose snow avalanche ran full path to flats.

Photo #3:  Looking down the skiers left side East Avy path showing debris.  The skiers right side East Avy path sluffed out and ran down to the flats from a ski cut at the top.