The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE on mid and upper elevation northwest, north and northeast, and east facing slopes. Large human triggered avalanches are likely.
Continue to avoid steep slopes on the north half of the compass until we are sure that the snowpack is stable.
Our focus remains on the weak snow near the ground from October. This is buried under all the snow that fell in December. This layer has produced recent avalanches and collapsing of the snowpack. This problem exists on mid and upper elevation northwest, north, and northeast facing slopes.
There's been some avalanche activity which tells us that we still have an unstable and dangerous situation.
First, a rider was caught, carried and partly buried on Elderberry in Manti Canyon.
Second, riders in Niotche Creek of the Fish Lake Gooseberry zone experienced a large collapse from flat terrain which triggered three deep avalanches on steep slopes nearby.
Third, I've heard of at least one other group of riders who experienced a large collapse (whumpf) of the snowpack in a flat meadow they were sitting in.
All this tells me we are nowhere near to a stable snowpack.
Photo below: Kreig Rassmussen, Niotche Creek
Current Conditions
The snow is settling and is not quite the deep powder experience we were having a few days ago. That said, riding conditions remain excellent. You'll find some wind damage along exposed locations and some minor sun crusts on southerly facing slopes. Temperatures are in the mid 20s and it's a bit gusty from the southwest.
Mountain Weather
It'll be mostly cloudy with moderate to strong westerly wind today. Temperatures will remain in the mid 20s. The next storm moves through on Wednesday and I'm thinking it'll be about a 6" snow event.
