Observation: Monitors

Went up to the PC Ridgeline to take a look at what happened in the Monitors during the storm. The only avalanche noted was in West Monitor and it looks like it might have stepped down into older snow a little ways down the slope, it looked to be triggered by a natural cornice drop during the wind event. Both W and S Monitor were getting wind hammered all day today, especially S Monitor which was getting wind loaded, cross loaded and wind jacked all day long. We skied the sub ridge between the two bowls and the storm slab sitting on lighter density snow was still evident. I would think with today's warm temperatures and a little time this layer will settle out quickly. No cracking or collapses were noted in today's travels, but the continued wind loading still deserves respect.

Photos: the avalanche in W Monitor, rime on the trees growing into the SW winds and a video of S Monitor getting wind loaded, cross loaded and slabbed up.

I would think we're moving into the moderate category in most terrain but still thinking considerable for wind slabs in steep wind loaded terrain.

A little skiff or powder on higher density creamy spongy base. The density inversion from a denser slab sitting on top of lighter density snow still evident. The due S facing was getting damp by the time we left around 3:00pm.