Unstable wet snow on Lincoln Ridge.

Overall snowpack height in this area at 6,700 is significantly greater than in other portions of the forecast area. HS was estimated at that elevation at 1 to 1.5 m on N-NE-E aspects, even in heavily treed areas and 0.5 to 1 m on SE-S aspects.

Signs of snow surface refreeze of the top 10 to 15 cm of the snowpack last night were gone in some areas by 10:30 am and retained some strength in shaded areas until 11:30 am. Wet surface snow was observed on all NW-N-NE-E-SE-S aspects traveled up to the high point of travel of 7,600'. The greatest instability was observed on NW-N aspects while adjacent E aspects held better stability at the same time of day. The snow on NW-N aspects was still somewhat transitional while the E aspects held fairly well established melt-freeze conditions with better free water drainage established.

Despite significant cloud cover, rapid warming conditions were occurring with above freezing air temperatures and spikes in incoming solar radiation during breaks in cloud cover. Small loose wet avalanches were easily triggered on NW-N aspect test slopes in the area at noon.

Photo 1: Intentionally skier triggered small loose wet avalanche (test slope failure) at noted lat/long (NW aspect micro terrain feature, 7,480', 42 degree slope angle).

Photo 2: Roller balls/pinwheels reaching 30 to 60 cm in diameter prior to breaking apart. Location adjacent to photo 1.

Photo 3: Cornice with visible and audible dripping free water along Lincoln Ridge.