Quick report
- Aspect
- Southeast
- Elevation
- 3048 m
Today's focus was on (1) recent wet avalanche activity and (2) facet/crust combos on E and SE aspects.
1. I saw generally minor wet avalanche activity, but when leaving the canyon at 3 pm, a sizable wet debris pile filled the apron on Superior, taking out recent tracks. I'm unsure when this avalanche ran, but it's an indication that wet slides can entrain a lot of snow on large slopes. It also appeared some of this avalanche involved a wet slab, likely triggered from a sluff of wet snow from above.
2. Digging on east and southeast aspects and sun crusts that formed earlier this month are evident in pits, but I was unable to get clean shears, indicating the crusts and adjacent slabs have bonded.
Photos:
- Superior wet avalanche debris
- Superior wet slabs, likely triggered from a sluff of wet snow from above
- small wet, loose avalanches on east-facing Tuscarora
- snow pit on SE aspect
Snowpack
The existing snow surface is challenging as it consists mostly of crusts and and wind affect. As Drew pointed out in Thursday's forecast, you can find some soft snow on mid-elevation northerly aspects, but it's getting more difficult to find.