Quick report
We set out on a tour up the Muir Snowfield to get eyes on recent wet avalanche activity and assess overall snow coverage. It didn't take long to spot the recent wet slab avalanche activity; wide, propagating crowns were visible on most southerly-facing slopes around the Wilson and Nisqually glaciers. Generally, these releases all appeared to be at least a couple of days old, with some as much as a week old. No recent avalanche activity was spotted in the Tatoosh range. Despite the cloudier skies, temperatures were very warm today. Snow surfaces were soft and mushy, first thing in the morning. Boot penetration was close to boot deep in the mid-afternoon at middle elevations. Snow coverage is consistent from the Paradise parking lot and above, but the Panorama face and around McClure Rock are beginning to show larger stretches of dirt and rock.
Many recent large wet slab avalanches have released around the Wilson and Nisqually glaciers. Most appeared to have occurred earlier in the week, but a few looked fresher, likely within the last 2-3 days. None of them appeared to have happened in the last 24 hours.Weather
- Cloud Cover
- scattered
- Wind Loading
- none
- Snow Avail For Transport
- none
Scattered cloud cover in the morning, with increasing blue skies into the afternoon. Temperatures were very warm, 50s F or warmer, throughout the day. Northerly wind picked up with elevation gain.
Snowpack
The snowpack is melting quickly out there! Around the Paradise parking lot and Alta Vista area, around 4-5 feet of snow coverage exists. In general, snow surfaces are pretty beat up from all the foot and ski travel. Panorama face can still be climbed on snow, but the top is turning quite thin and will soon require travel over dirt. Many large cornices have collapsed along the ridgeline. Snow coverage is consistent from Panorama Point and above.