Submitted by: Marc Beverly
| Location: | Santa Fe Area |
| Date: | Dec 18, 2009 | Temp (C): | -10 |
| Wind Speed: | L | Wind Direction: | NW |
: Dec 18 Fri Dec 18 11:40:00 MST 2009 User: J. Marc Beverly
Recent activity on similar slopes was after the last storm cycle. The Ski Patrol informed me that they had naturals and skier initiated slabs with 10m propagation within the ski area. The tests I did reflect their observations, but with some settling of the snowpack. The stbility tests were touchy - the higher numbers on some tests didn't reflect how easily this 60cm layer releases, especially in propagation and shear. Although it's possible to trigger a slab, a climax avi might be the likely scenario, ultimatley running on the advanced depth hoar since that's what the Ski Patrol was seeing.
The stability is generally "Good", meaning that no naturals are expected, but heavy loads in isolated terrain could trigger a slide. Exposed areas out of the trees have been wind swept and pummeled into a hard crust as usual.
The Watershed area skis well on the wind slabs, but then gives way to advanced dh (6mm already !!!) covered with only a few centimeters of df and small facets lower in the trees. In the sun, it's like spring conditions. I think the weatherman would call this an "extreme wintery mix" or something. That's New Mexico !
Big T is rough from the top of the radio towers, but can be a bit soft in the trees, so watch out for the dead and down leg breaking timbers in this area.
The Ski Area has bountiful good skiing already and I've been told that the upper mountain should open after then next storm cycle !
I saw only a set of lone snowshoe tracks on Raven's Ridge the entire tour on 091218.
Cheers,
Marc Beverly