Observations from Tamarack Peak

On Tamarack Peak several snowpits in near and below treeline areas did not reveal evidence of buried surface hoar layers. The snowpit data indicated that the recent snow continues to bond and consolidate. In near and below treeline terrain, ski cuts, general observations, and snowpit data did not yield signs of instability even though a heavier layer of snow existed on top of a less dense layer of storm snow. On wind loaded near and above treeline slopes, firm wind slabs existed on the snow surface and most evidence indicated that these wind slabs continue to bond to the snow surface below and that wind slab avalanches have become more difficult to trigger. Repeated ski kicks on one wind loaded test slope did produce a small wind slab failure that measured about 8 inches in depth. On other slopes cornice pieces dropped onto the slope did not trigger cracks on the wind loaded slopes below even though the cornices remained very fragile. 

Photo 1: Small wind slab that failed on a 43 degree NE facing near treeline wind loaded test slope. This failed after repeated jumping on the slope.