Mount Axtel

We largely traveled on southerly and west slopes.  The snowpack is less problematic on sunny terrain than on the compass's north half, but we got propagating test results on a sheltered southeast slope.  Oddly, several large collapses directly above steep, drifted southeast slopes at 11,700 feet did not crack or avalanche.  Near the summit ridge of Axtel, we experienced long-running collapses that rumbled hundreds of feet before releasing large avalanches in 6th Bowl.  The snowpack on many slopes teeters near failure and simply needs a person to release it. 

Our tour plan for the day kept us out of avalanche terrain, and we found fast, soft, and surfy riding conditions on sub-30-degree west-facing slopes

We experienced numerous moderate-sized collapses on low-angled southerly slopes, a few large collapses on drifted low-angle southeast slopes, and two rumbling collapses that traveled hundreds of feet before releasing large avalanches in an adjacent bowl.

The primary goal was traveling near steeper southerly facing terrain near and below treeline.  We experienced signs of instability with a few large collapses near steep, drifted southeast slopes without cracking or avalanching.  We dug a test profile on a southeast slope at 10,800 feet with propagating results below the 12/29 melt/freeze crust and above the 12/22 melt/freeze crust (the crust below the Christmas Slab).  The result on the upper crust was less worrisome as it seemed unlikely to be a problem in sheltered areas. Still, the lower failure was the first propagating result on a sunny slope since the storminess returned over a week ago. (see image)

We did not investigate the crowns of the remotely triggered avalanches in 6th Bowl but depths and structure appeared to match recent avalanche activity on north and east slopes.  The slab continues to settle and gain strength allowing collapses to travel long distances.