Conditions on Red Lake Peak

Surface conditions on Red Lake Peak varied from soft unconsolidated snow in sheltered areas to firm scoured icy rain crusts along ridges and in exposed areas. Strong NE winds scoured N-NE-E aspects and snow could be seen blowing off the ridgelines until about 1 pm when the winds decreased. In areas exposed to previous and current wind-loading, observations only showed evidence of minor small wind slabs that were not large enough to cause problems. Below the ridgelines in more sheltered areas softer snow lingered. The most recent snow rested on top of the older loose weak snow. Tests and snowpit data indicated that while the old snow remains weak, not enough new snow exists above it nor does the snow above it does not have enough slab characteristics to create a slab avalanche problem. Ski cuts on steep northerly facing slopes in sheltered below treeline terrain did produce very small sluffs. 

Photo: Loose weak snow below the new snow (facets).