Lots of alpine terrain being utilized that ordinarily does not see traffic this early in the season - there is still potential for large avalanches in isolated areas.
Weather Forecast
A ridge of High pressure will keep skies mainly clear with no precip in the forecast for the next several days.
Avalanche Summary
A few small sluffs to Size 1 from south and east aspects. Size 1.5 SSL in narrow steep gully below treeline, 2100m, E aspect, 40 deg slope. Trigger uncertain - possible natural , possible human triggered as tracks could be seen in the vicinity.
Snowpack Summary
Surface hoar growth below treeline continues due to cold clear nights. More facetting of upper layers as well. Midpack strength continues to hang in there although the strong temperature gradient is weakening the midpack.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.