Quick report
Wind scouring on ridge tops, 16-20 inches of dry blower powder on crust, substantially more than the 4" reported by the snowtel. Snowing all morning, 3ish inches on valley floor when we got back to the car. Hand pit showed dry snow on top of firm crust, no slab formation in pit but snow was sliding as if it there were slabs forming. notable wind scouring on ridge tops, cornices very developed. Dropped a medium cornice chunk on north aspect before descending, cornice brought loose dry slough down with it but no signs of slab formation. Proceeded on with rest of tour where we found substantially more snow than indicated in the forecast, 16-20 inches of dry powder on top of a stout crust.
Avalanche
- Size
- D2 R3
- Type
- SS
- Aspect
- N
- Trigger
- AS
- Elevation
- 9000 ft
Dropped in north facing relatively sheltered trees, found substantially more snow than anticipated and no signs of wind affect. Hand pit at top showed 16-20 inches of light density pow on firm crust. approximately 4-5 turns into line the center and sides of the wooded gulley started to slide on the crust noted above. crown was varying, estimated 12-18 inches, debris ran approx 800 vert and set off multiple much smaller slabs in the run out.