Avalanche: Chicken Sh#! Ridge

This slide was triggered on a mid elevation, E facing steep breakover in Days Fork, Hall of the Giants. HN in this area ranged from 6"-12" and was mostly not wind effected. Still, at about 10-12% density it was somewhat slabby. The new snow mostly bonded well to the old surface, but in the mid elevation sheltered areas that old surface was a mix of facets and decomposing rime crust from Jan 13. This slide failed at these facets and partly broke below the rime crust. The lower more significant rime crust that formed on Jan 11 was still intact below the bed surface. It did not travel far, only running to the first transition in slope angle but if the slope was bigger I think it would easily have run farther.

In general the new load of about 1" of water was not enough to tip the scales in most of the areas traveled today. I expected a bit more wind effect along the ridges but was surprised to see very little. This storm was a nice little refresh for the ski conditions, at least above about 8200' or so. Below this, the very hollow faceted snowpack was saturated from yesterday's rain and was less than supportable unless you were moving quickly. I suspect that steep terrain below 8500' has the potential to gouge completely to the ground. It looks like this could be short lived however as the temps are forecast to drop significantly.