Schneedecke

Observation: Mill B South

Maushund, Garvin, MacomberSalt Lake
Auf der Karte ansehen

Quick report

Photos

#1 Small wet loose activity late morning on solar slopes

#2 Sun/shade line highlighting some snow surface textures on Superior

#3 Creativity is essential to enjoying current conditions

#4 Overcast skies, which led to some greenhousing into the afternoon.

Snowpack

Consulting a thesaurus, I can say that we found a motley medley of surface conditions—aka variable, aka mixed bag, aka the same old situation—depending on aspect and elevation. Most notable was the change in surfaces on some high elevation polars and many mid-elevation slopes throughout the day, which gained a thin temperature crust/increasing density due to greenhousing with the clouds that built into the afternoon. 

Small point release wet loose slides were beginning to release near rock bands and cliffs on solar slopes around midday. However, activity was very small (D1) and was not widespread in terrain we traveled/could view. Wind-affected surfaces saved us from large, gouging dry loose facet avalanches, however recent dry loose activity was observed on adjacent slopes.

While conditions aren't exactly riveting right now, it's still a good time to see new terrain, maybe bring the rope along to practice skills, and enjoy far-reaching travel while it lasts. Good snacks help.