Date / Region: 21/07/2020
Observations Summary
Yesterday a field team travelled between 1580m and 2100m on S, E and N aspects.
5cm of new snow is dust on crust in the subalpine. The crust was supportive to skiing at all elevations traveled and the new snow has improved the skiing on lee slopes.
In the alpine, this snow has been redistribute by moderate to extreme NW winds and has created pencil hard wind slabs up to 50cm deep in lee features.
Today’s Report Confidence: MODERATE
Alpine Conditions
Sub-Alpine Conditions
Mountain environments can be categorised as above or below the tree line, thus Alpine and Subalpine respectively. Find out more about how these types of terrain can create or mitigate backcountry hazards here.
Travel & Terrain considerations:
Localised ice still exists in the alpine and is a concern particularly on windward slopes where yesterday’s snow has been stripped away. Beware of slide risk on steep slopes.
In the alpine, isolated windslabs have been formed by NW winds. It is uncertain at this time how well these wind slabs are bonding to the previous surface (crust). Test windslab bond prior to jumping into steeper lines.
Nice turns can be found on low angle lee slopes.
We need your eyes too. If you’ve been touring in the Alpine National Park we’d love to know what you have seen. Every little bit helps.
Weather Summary
Partly cloudy. Winds southerly 20 to 30 km/h becoming light in the early afternoon. (Source: BOM)