December 9, 2017, Snoqualmie Pass
12/9/17
WA Snoqualmie Pass
1945
1
The inversion is the story near the pass.
Inversion/cloudsea line at 4.8k today around noon. Impressive hoar and facet formation below the inversion, especially above 4k on sheltered slopes. Large needles, not feathers, up to ~25mm or so.
Above the inversion, on protected, shady north aspects at about 5k, surface snow was soft and heavy. Pinwheels of ~50cm were almost willing to roll. Plenty of wet slide and pinwheel evidence on southern slopes we could see. Largest was central in Snoqualmie's south bowl.
Ski quality was best in the open below the inversion. Doug Krause's term "facet surfing" was apropos; surface facets would sluff like loose-dry on steeper slopes. Notable, too, was the fact that unsupported pillows 4-4.6k in the shade would fail cleanly ~30cm down with a firm kick, perhaps due to a poor or faceting bond of last week's snow.
There's great skiing out there somewhere, I'm convinced. The trick this weekend is sussing out longer lines that can beat the heat.
Photos to follow.
Inversion/cloudsea line at 4.8k today around noon. Impressive hoar and facet formation below the inversion, especially above 4k on sheltered slopes. Large needles, not feathers, up to ~25mm or so.
Above the inversion, on protected, shady north aspects at about 5k, surface snow was soft and heavy. Pinwheels of ~50cm were almost willing to roll. Plenty of wet slide and pinwheel evidence on southern slopes we could see. Largest was central in Snoqualmie's south bowl.
Ski quality was best in the open below the inversion. Doug Krause's term "facet surfing" was apropos; surface facets would sluff like loose-dry on steeper slopes. Notable, too, was the fact that unsupported pillows 4-4.6k in the shade would fail cleanly ~30cm down with a firm kick, perhaps due to a poor or faceting bond of last week's snow.
There's great skiing out there somewhere, I'm convinced. The trick this weekend is sussing out longer lines that can beat the heat.
Photos to follow.
I've seen no reports from the volcanoes- any thoughts on the possibility of corn on Muir or St Helens?
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