Snow report Upper Black Forest, 01/16/2014

Snow condition

While it was pouring with rain in Freiburg, there was finally some fresh snow in the Upper Black Forest. Once again, however, it was very unevenly distributed. North of the Feldberg, the snow line was around 1000-1100m (Titisee all green), south of that it snowed down to around 800m. The fresh snow accumulations of ~20cm are only really worth mentioning from the top of the Feldberg pass. The wind has done a great job again: the windward slopes and the backs of the 3 Feldberg peaks are almost free of snow, in the lee there is sometimes up to 30 cm of fresh snow. Overall, the snow depth in the highest areas varies between 0 and 50 cm. Pretty meagre. The second star is only given in comparison to last week and because it at least looked a bit like winter.

Snow quality

As the snow line was quite high up, the newly fallen snow is quite heavy and sometimes even sticky. What's more, it has already had a light cover in exposed places. It could be worse, but we're used to much better in mid-January.

Tricky. As Tobi bereichts reported, the base avalanche at Baldenweger Buck speaks for itself. If you haven't had enough yet, head over to Zastler and discover several spontaneous descents. The snow cover has several weak layers. The new snow has a very poor bond with the (existing) old snow cover, especially at transitions with far too little (no) snow. Significant deterioration since my last visit to Baldenweger Buck shortly before Christmas. I wonder where all the snow for the (sometimes large) cornices comes from, as it has hardly snowed since then!

Overall impression

Well, it wasn't worth it. As the last few days in Freiburg were in danger of heralding the arrival of spring, it was good to be reminded of the actual season, winter. I wonder if it will stay next week. In any case, it's time to be defensive!