GTNP

4/20 - GTNP East-facing terrain in the middle to upper elevations had poor bonding of the new snow. This in combination with direct solar input made skier-triggered wet loose avalanches very reactive, and our party had to adjust objectives to limit exposure. Lower elevations were spring-like and had the semblance of early corn skiing. 

Travel on 4/21 and 4/22 was in GTNP. On 4/21, the Wimpies and Albright area was on the receiving end of high precipitation rates and heavy snowfall all morning. The quick bursts of snowfall and graupel created a natural storm slab cycle given the snowpack couldn't handle the quick change. Skier triggered slides were easily initiated on steep unsupported slopes - height of new snow there on 4/21 varied from 45cm to close to 60cm in some locations. 

Today - 4/22 - travel was in the northern sections of GTNP. The new snow still had some upside-down properties at the mid elevations, however it became more prevalent the higher we got. Between the poor structure, near 90cm of new snow at 11,000', and a blazing sun - that had previously been behind clouds, the stress became too great for the strength of the snowpack. Wet looses began tumbling down rock faces and the snowpack quickly became unglued with natural wet looses on rocky outcroppings and steep slopes with any solar input. Ski cuts also easily triggered wet loose avalanches, that ran on the previous melt freeze crust. The clouds rolled in by 1300, however things were a bit greenhouse in nature - with the clouds trapping the heat from the sun. 

Tomorrow looks to be sunny and warmer than today.