Tamarack Peak Observations

I went to Tamarack Peak to continue to monitor the Nov 9 facet layer and the weak snowpack structure under the recent storm snow.  The additional recent storm snow really improved travel conditions in this area.  Northerly aspects above 9000' have supportable and decent snow coverage.  Areas below 8800' or as you change aspects slightly, snow coverage becomes thin with many areas having the recent storm snow on top of dirt and rocks.  There was not much difference from today to previous observations in this area.  The mid to upper previous snowpack is weak and now has 4 to 8'' of recent storm snow on top.  This amount of additional snow load has not, at this point, been enough to cause any issues with the persistent weak layers below.  The slab of new storm snow is also still unconsolidated and not a strong enough slab to help propagate the weak layer.  If you stop and take a step into the snow on northerly aspects, you will sink knee deep-that is the weak faceted snow that you're sinking into and what we will have to deal with going forward.  Large storms are forecasted to enter our area in the next few days.  These weak layers will be very concerning once they receive a solid snow load on them with the potential for wide and large avalanches.