Spruce

We saw the remnants of a major avalanche and cornice fall episode in north fork spruce. Piles everywhere. The failing layer appeared to be the shallower surface hoar layer which is approximately 15-30 cm deep outside of wind loaded areas. Cornices were very overhanging and many had released during the high wind. Cracking was limited to isolated little islands of newish snow that had not been wind eroded. Our pit was 7400' bottom of a NW slope that would normally be sheltered but was blasted into eroded snow and sastrugi. Total snow 175 cm. ECTN21 15 cm down. This layer seemed like it was likely recently able to propagate. ECTN 26 30 cm down. Skinning on wind packed aspects was difficult lacking ski crampons. There was still some cold snow within +/- 35-45 degrees of north. South side has very poor coverage for the time of year and corn that was supportable all day.

Quick report