Quick report
With avalanche terrain ruled out for the day, went on a whumpf-hunting and snow-science expedition to Windy Acres and beyond. To my surprise, given the forecast, nary a whumpf to be found. No crowns seen all day, either, despite top-notch atmospheric conditions. Summit Nordic trails near the lifts are very well groomed (and free? See Summit Instagram). Catherine Loop is ungroomed. It was supportable in the morning -- several skaters came through atop the crust -- and schmoo at 2pm wherever the sun touched it. Zipped through Rockdale on the way home, the only time I entered credible avalanche terrain. In the morning, almost no rollerballs were visible anywhere. By afternoon, there were many. Snowpits: 3380' at the powerline cut on the Catherine XC trail. HS 75cm, ECTN12 25cm down. 4190', North aspect at the shoulder of Silver. ECT planar failure at an extra hard whack (31) on small-grain SH/facets ~45-50cm down. Stopped past my "surface hoar factory" near Rockdale Lake -- CT M at similar depth, but no large SH to be seen. Basic sense is that conditions weren't quite right for slabs to move or whumpf where I traveled, but there is so much spatial variability. A little free water reaching the weak layers might be enough to make them sensitive. With the warm night tonight and sun tomorrow, I'll be skinning in the closed resort, nordic skiing, or skiing slushy bumps, not traveling in the backcountry Sunday.
Avalanche
See photos -- small loose slides on Alta, Kendall, and others by the end of the day.