Wind slabs on Saddle Peak

Wind slabs on Saddle Peak

Date
Activity
Skiing

We skied down the "skyline" ridge of Saddle Peak. Recent strong winds drifted snow into small 4" soft slabs near the ridgelines, and there were a variety of new and old hard slabs and scoured surfaces throughout all elevations on the descent. We dug a pit around 9,000' and had an ECTP14 6-10" deep below a very hard slab sitting on sugary facets. We guess this is what the snowboarder triggered avalanche on Wednesday failed on, but that is just a guess. Due to the weak facets some of these hard slabs might be unstable for a few more days. Snow depth was 150-210cm where we dug. There is weak snow near the bottom of the snowpack that we need to remember for when there is heavier loading from snow and wind, but it seems unlikely it will cause an avalanche right now with little recent snowfall. 

Region
Bridger Range
Location (from list)
Saddle Peak
Observer Name
Alex Marienthal