Red Lake Peak Observation

Surface Hoar was mostly observed at lower elevations on Red Lake Peak. In open shady areas above 8000 feet, snow was incredibly light and uncohesive indicating Near Surface Faceting processes at work. 

We observed yesterday's skier triggered slide from Crater Lake and given the uncertainty around the weak layer and consequential terrain adjacent to slide opted to approach via lower angle and lower consequence terrain near but not all the way to the slide. Our observations are from a smaller slope a few hundred feet to the East of the slide. 

Pit work and snowpack tests revealed a minor density change approximately 30 cms down from the surface. We had repeatable moderate CT (SP) results and ECTP results. The slab is very soft, but still capably of propogating. Using a scope we were unable to see any grain characteristics that indicated old buried surface hoar and given the depth of the weak layer and recent storm history we suspect it is lower density storm snow. 

Photo 1: Surface Hoar growing on flat terrain near base of Red Lake Peak. We were on the lookout for Surface Hoar but didn't find as much as we were expecting. It was widespread at lower elevations, but seemed to mostly disappear as we climbed past 8000 feet. We did observe very cold uncohesive snow in shady spots between 8000 - 9000 feet indicating NSF processes. 

Photo 2: Previous skier triggered slide in sun in middle of photo. 

Photo 3: Natural slide on left of photo and skier triggered slide on far right. This natural slide appeared to have occurred on Saturday 12.1.18.

Photo 4: Cracking in front of ski tip while skinning above a recent skin track near the slide area. Our pit work occurred just above where this photo was taken. Depth of this small slide (~30cm down) is consistent with CT and ECT results.