Saint Mary Valley
Quick report
-Typical variable snow coverage that one encounters on the east side of GNP. But generally westerly aspects scoured with easterlies loaded. -Road was mostly dry to St Mary Falls TH. Climbed to a high point just over 9500' and observed all aspects. Very little (or no) snow until about 5500-6000'. -Above 6000' in wind sheltered areas, 1-3" of recent snow from earlier this week rested on top of a melt freeze crust that was typically supportable in boots. -Occasional blowing and drifting snow due to gusty and erratic winds. Encountered wind slabs 5-10" thick that were unreactive to cuts. -Beneath the recent soft snow, the snowpack consisted mostly of very firm crusts with no persistent weak layers found. In many cases I could only push the shaft of my ice axe 1-2" down into the snowpack. -Kept to terrain with firm, supportable snow surfaces. Avoided bowls loaded with fresh wind slab and kept out from under steep faces that were producing dry loose sluffs. -Clear and sunny all day with occasional gusty (mod to str) winds from variable directions. Temps remained below freezing above 5000'. Daytime highs down near lake reached the mid-30s.
Avalanche
Watched a dry loose avalanche run down a very steep NE face in the alpine terrain. Probably big enough to knock a climber off route. Initiated above 8500' and ran to the bottom of the face at 7000'. Several other debris piles (D1-1.5) from other avalanches that likely ran a day or two before.