Snotel site near Geyser Pass Trailhead (9600')

Storm totals at the Gold Basin study plot (10,000')

Snowpack Discussion

It's getting pretty monotonous describing the current snowpack because there isn't much of one. Chris Benson and Charlie Ramser were both up yesterday and their words can help illuminate the situation. Read their observations here. Both report continued signs of instability such as cracking and collapsing though instances are becoming more localized. Snow depths on northerly aspects above about 10,000' range from 12" - 24" while southerly aspects are mostly bare. The existing snowpack is very weak and faceted along with the presence of one or two crusts. Below treeline, the entire snowpack is starting to lose cohesion and there isn't much of an overriding slab. Near treeline and above, an overriding slab can be found in areas that have denser deposits of wind drifted snow. Above treeline, the snow in many areas has been ravaged by the wind, and scoured surfaces alternate with smooth, hard slabs, crusts, and in the words of Chris Benson "soul searching sastrugi." Conditions are deceiving due to the overall lack of coverage and the general inaccessibility of avalanche terrain, but if you went searching for an avalanche you could still find one.