Quick report
We rode in middle and lower elevations in West Seeley near the Warming Hut today. There were lots of tracks around and quite a few people out for a Friday. Snow surfaces were generally less wind affected than expected. We dug a pit on an east aspect at 5800 ft and had no significant results in stability tests. The total snow depth in the pit was 70 inches, and there was 2 feet of right-side-up recent storm snow.
We observed a large natural avalanche on a wind-loaded upper elevation southwest aspect near the Swan Crest. It was likely a wind slab that occurred during the last few days of east winds. The Swan Crest looked much more wind affected than areas near the Warming Hut.
Temperatures were very cold this morning and slowly warmed up during the day. Scattered clouds in the morning cleared during the day. Winds were light.
Other than wind slabs at upper elevations, the snowpack felt settled and stable.