Observations from Flagpole

A few tracks were observed on Flagpole yesterday afternoon, with no signs of human triggered avalanches. Several parties were touring the Flagpole area today, again with no signs of human triggered avalanches - although we later heard of a close-call incident where two skiers may have been caught but not buried, loosing equipment. No further details.

Ski cutting test slopes produced no results early in the day, but entraining enough snow with ski cuts began to produce small results later in the day on mid to lower elevation slopes that received solar input.

Breakable sun crust on lower and mid elevation E and SE aspects early in the morning, with cold dry storm snow on NE and N aspects at all elevations. Sun crust warmed and contained free water by mid day.

Two failure interfaces were noted on N, NE, E and SE aspects at all elevations sampled. Formal and informal tests showed an interface within the storm snow that was easy to moderate to initiate, with Q2 to Q3 shear quality. This interface became less reactive later in the day. The second interface existed between storm snow (F hard) and old snow (1F), with moderate fracture initiation and Q1 to Q2 shear qualities. RB3.5 MB at new/old interface (fracture occured as skier pushed-off to jump) at lat/long coordinates provided on N aspect, 37 degree incline.