Good conditions in the backcountry are seeing folks pushing into more aggressive lines. Watch that you don't tap into a shallow, faceted weak spot in the start zones. This could wake up the deep persistent weak layer that has been causing large, destructive avalanches in the surrounding neighbourhood.
Moderate winds have redistributed the recent storm snow, forming slabs in some locations. As you transition into Treeline and the Alpine, be mindful of changing conditions and signs of instability like cracking, whumpfing, or hollow-feeling snow below your feet.
Several solar-triggered avalanches were observed yesterday from S faces (Single Bench, Lens, Cougar, Gunners paths), from sz 2-3.
A field team on Ross Pk today did not observe any avalanche activity.
A crust is found on steep solar aspects, while wind slab exists in the alpine and exposed areas at tree line. 40-60cm of settled snow overlies a layer of decomposing stellars (large new snow crystals), a crust on solar aspects, or a thin layer of facets.
Although generally strong, the snowpack still sits upon a deep persistent weakness of rounding facets and a decomposed crust near the ground.
Over the next few days, consistent weather conditions are expected: a mix of sun and cloud, Alpine high of -8*C by mid-afternoon with freezing levels around 1100m, and light winds from the east.
