Public Field Report

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

We skinned up the ridge to the Etna summit. The wind was consistent and strong starting about 500 feet above the parking area. There was obvious wind loading occurring all-day. We experienced wide-spread cracking on wind-loaded terrain near the ridge. Cracks were shooting up to 20 feet away. On our descent, we skied the main line on the north side of the peak. We caused a large wind slab to collapse near the summit, but it was too mellow to slide. We avoided steeper and wind loaded terrain. The snow that was sheltered from the wind skied damn well.