North Cascades snow conditions 4/22 - Cabinet Pk
4/22/13
3301
3
Attempted the NE Ridge of Cabinet Peak 6682' just S of Hwy 20 and S of Cabinet Creek. We were on snowshoes. Turned back by snow conditions and huge cornices ~150' vert and 1/4 mile from summit. One cornice extended 25' from ridge, incredible it hasn't collapsed yet.
Temps were relatively cold, likely never above 40F with very little wind. Minimal snow bombs or melting from trees below 5k, none above. No slide action observed, minimal pinwheeling. On mostly treed slopes below 5500', light crust over 1-3 feet of powder. Ridge open above 5500'; encountered deeper and deeper powder w/no crust as we gained elevation. At 6700' turnaround point powder was 4 feet deep on the ridge, light and totally unconsolidated. Likely partially due to wind transport; tested the E slope of the ridge, 2+ feet of powder there.
Bottom line: little consolidation on N aspect in the area yesterday.
Temps were relatively cold, likely never above 40F with very little wind. Minimal snow bombs or melting from trees below 5k, none above. No slide action observed, minimal pinwheeling. On mostly treed slopes below 5500', light crust over 1-3 feet of powder. Ridge open above 5500'; encountered deeper and deeper powder w/no crust as we gained elevation. At 6700' turnaround point powder was 4 feet deep on the ridge, light and totally unconsolidated. Likely partially due to wind transport; tested the E slope of the ridge, 2+ feet of powder there.
Bottom line: little consolidation on N aspect in the area yesterday.
Thanks for the report Eric. Was the snow cover continuous from the highway?
author=mattfirth link=topic=28355.msg119287#msg119287 date=1366767393]
Thanks for the report Eric. Was the snow cover continuous from the highway?
Ditto and is there any sign of the trail? It is mentioned in one of Beckey's guides.
Snow continuous from Hwy. No sign of any trail, but didn't look for one of course w/the snow.
Snow more consolidated and heavier as expected with the sun last Thursday on Pk 6775 in front of Fisher, but snowshoes still required higher up.
Snow more consolidated and heavier as expected with the sun last Thursday on Pk 6775 in front of Fisher, but snowshoes still required higher up.
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