Matt Cozart was up on Tuesday and wrote this excellent report on the current snowpack conditions. The bottom line is that the overall snowpack structure is poor. Weak, faceted snow exists in the lower pack. This problem has been compounded by recent wind loading. Strong winds today will blow and drift snow and create fresh slabs above treeline. Avoid steep slopes that show signs of recent wind drifting. Wind drifts are recognizable by their smooth, rounded appearance, and cracking is a sign of instability. Wind drifts form on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features such as gully walls and subridges. Another red flag sign of instability is collapsing, or whumphing. This indicates that the underlying poor snowpack structure is incapable of supporting the weight of the overlying snow. If you observe this, you know you have an unstable situation and steep terrain should be avoided.

In most cases, snow cover is still a little too thin to access avalanche terrain, but all steep, wind drifted slopes that have enough snow to ride are suspect, and human triggered avalanches are possible in these areas.

If you are getting up into the Abajos, please let us know what you see out there.

For more on the current state of the snowpack, see the video below.