Quick report
- Cracking
- specific
Andy nailed the forecast above the tree line today. Based on uptrack observations, I could believe that more than 50% of avalancheable slopes would have avalanched if provoked. Natural avalanches were uncommon but at least one was seen. On the uptrack, experienced surface cracking with occasional depth between the skis. When skinning in an obviously wind loaded leeward zone, set off a propagating crack (<3ft). Wind mostly blew from the west, but there were enough examples of wind blowing from the east to make one very cautious when ascending Pan Face. Climbers left looked obviously wind loaded from the west winds, but there was enough texture on the surface at the top plus some other instances of east blowing wind below the face (eg the top of Alta Vista) to make ascending up the face suspect. Ended up ascending halfway and then traversing to the climbers right, where the was only 2” of deposit over the (wind?) crust below, and then through the trees and up the lower angled south facing terrain. In comparison the gut has at least 12” of snow above the crust. Muir snowfield contained variable, wind-affected snow of varying depth, but regardless the snow was soft enough to make the ascent annoying. Would recommend that others learn from my mistakes—if new snow blows, to the alpine don’t go. Weather was not amenable to provide good images. Sorry.
Avalanche
Above Panorama Point, in one of the east facing gullies near McClure Rock. Likely within last 24 hours. Natural. No one caught. D2.