Quick report
Observed 1-2 older avalanches (2-3 days old), as well as evidence of rockfall in previous days, but none directly on the route during the observation period (2 pm Tuesday June 10 - 3 pm on Wednesday June 11). Snow was highly sun cupped at all elevations and aspects on the Avalanche Gulch route, and firm/icy conditions were present above 11500 feet well into the late morning and early afternoon due to winds. Skiing was very difficult due to the icy condictions and our party needed to descend on foot with an ice axe from the top of misery hill (13900') to below Red Banks (12700'). Below 11500', conditions were slushy after 11:30 am due to reduced winds at lower elevations. Saw large evidence of recent rockfall 2-3 days old, but did not observe any direct signs of instability in the snowpack or in the rocks around. The cooler temperatures might have played a role in this.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 30
- Cloud Cover
- few
- Wind Loading
- none
Signifcant winds at high elevations made a very firm refreeze and very little softening late in the day.