Elk Creek

Poor snowpack structure with many moderate-sized collapses but no resulting avalanches.  Basal weak layer in this area appears to be gaining hardness, but just enough to detect without instilling confidence.  We made conservative terrain choices by selecting slopes not much more than 30 degrees and intentionally avoided crossing below steep slopes to prevent a remote trigger.  Surface faceting and Surface Hoar formation were widespread and are likely to be a problem once a slab forms above.

We experienced numerous collapses on northerly and easterly terrain. We earned some by stabbing the tail of our skis through the slab, some just happened. None were rumbling in nature. I would guess the largest collapse traveled 100 feet at most. Several collapses occurred directly above steep slopes without avalanches or cracking.

Snowpack tests on north and east slopes in this area produced moderate ECTP results; failure occurred in weak snow at the base of the snowpack.  Snowpack depths ranged from 90cm to 115cm.  The slab generally ranged 60 - 90 cm thick up to 1-finger hardness.  The weak layer in this area appeared to be gaining some hardness - in the Fist plus to 4-Finger minus range.  This is in contrast to areas closer to town where the weak layer was Fist hard (and commonly fell out of profile wall) the day before in areas with a shallower snowpack.  The snowpack appears to be less sensitive to the weight of a person, but is far from confidence-inspiring.  Slopes big enough to produce a large avalanche probably would if you find the right spot on slope. 

Surface Hoar, 5- 12mm, was widespread in this area, even well above cold sink areas (present to high point at 11,300 feet).  This interface will be a concern if it is buried by a slab.