Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Collapsing, Rapid Warming, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Overall, very little avalanche activity from the previous storm observed in and within view of the area traveled today. Of note, notice the significant debris piles that came out of the main chute area in Raymond, as well as the significant loose dry activity in the Upper Mill A Chutes. Noticed what appeared to be a significant/potentially remotely triggered wind slab on the left wall of Soldier, but our view point did not allow for a picture of quality. And, we could not make out the entire size of the slide. This was definitely a slab avalanche. </p> <p>One collapse noted on the south face of Reynolds mid slope in the upper bowl area on a 33 degree slope. Structure in this zone was poor with multiple crust facet sandwiches 15 cm above the ground and facets all the way to the ground below the lowest crust. Slab from the latest storm did not appear to be cohesive. </p> <p>Regardless of cold temperatures in many locations and especially apparent in the shady areas, there was a period when the sun was out today when rapid warming could be used as a descriptor. Of note, it appeared that there were several periods of greenhousing that adversely effected even some of the off aspects below 8500 feet. Note the dense clouds in the picture of Raymond, and this kind of low lying cloud deck moved in and out during the middle of the day. </p> <p>Reports from George's stated a significant slide in Mineral Fork, as well as very easy to trigger Loose Dry in the early morning hours. And, another report from Mineral Basin reported a very significant natural that appeared to occur overnight. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Though note an issue in the area traveled and tested, reports previously stated from the Minerals appear to indicate there are zones that may still have these issues. Storm Slab concerns appeared to settle out significantly overnight. </p> <p>Lingering Wind Slabs may still have been an issue on very steep slopes in the Upper exposed elevations. </p> <p> </p> <p>Additional warming forecast for Wednesday may help to initiate a Loose Wet Cycle on steep southerly facing terrain at all elevations. </p> <p> </p> <p>With no significant wind loading and no naturals appearing in the areas traveled today the Danger appeared to be Moderate. </p>
Good riding in the terrain not effected by any wind from the past 24 hours. The east and southerly aspects rode well (before effected by the solar) even though they were a little thick. Trail breaking much improved from the previous day. Settlement at least 25% if not 30% (note picture of settlement cones observed in the quakies on the lower east portion of Reynolds. Very little wind slab observed on the Reynolds Peak area with only exposed ridgelines having slabs ranging from 1 finger to 4 finger. One section on the West Ridge had pencil hard wind slabs mid way down the ridge. The exit was very challenging due to the snow pack becoming very wet and heavy.