After the massive dump of snow we had I was curious to check out conditions in the White Queen area. Here is what I found:
230cm height of snow at 1800m with 50-55cm of it being the new storm snow. Extensive whumpfing and cracking both in wind affected and sheltered areas. From flat ground I remotely triggered a size 1 avalanche 25m away that failed down ~60cm (likely on the Mar. 8 surface hoar layer). This slid in trees that some folks might think were dense enough to be safe terrain.
At 2000m I had 320cm on a lee north aspect and was getting the top 60cm to shear with 1 or 2 taps on the Mar. 8 surface hoar (10-15mm in size). Down 80cm the Feb. 24 surface hoar (5-8mm) was failing in the moderate range (CTM 13 SP). Both these shears were scarily fast and clean and quite likely to result in large avalanches with light loads wherever the surface hoar can be found (which is basically where all the good skiing is right now as the solar aspects are all suncrusted).
The storm snow on the southern exposures had already settled out to 20-40cm with all the sun we had yesterday. It seemed to be bonding quite well to the previous crust with no results on compression tests and no signs of cracking or whumpfing. It all has a 3cm suncrust on it though (even where the trees are tight enough to provide lots of shade).
It will be difficult to find good, safe skiing out there right now as the low angle slopes with soft snow are still too deep to turn in.
The danger rating is at considerable right now, but the consequences of triggering a slide could be deadly and it would be very easy to do.
Probably best to let it settle out a while yet before venturing into the backcountry.
Shaun King
ACMG ASG, CAA Prof.
