Mount Axtell and avalanche obs from pavement

Warming conditions opened the door for Wet Loose avalanche activity by 10 a.m. on some sunny slopes. Still, most sunny features have transitioned into large, melt-form grains from previous warm weather, so loose avalanches would remain small in size, with a few isolated, very steep features potentially gouging deeper into the snowpack.  We did not encounter a slab above the April Fool's crust in the terrain we traveled on northerly aspects, but meltwater is certainly reaching this interface around the range and Wet Slabs are a possibility on some shady features near and above treeline. 

I triggered one small loose avalanche on a north-facing slope near treeline. A handful of recent loose natural avalanches around the range.

I largely traveled on northerly terrain at all elevations with a few brief moments on sunnier features near and above treeline.  Wet snow concerns developed before noon on sunny slopes, but crusts a few inches below the surfaces typically remained intact but soft.  The mature wet snow grains allowed meltwater to drain effectively.  Triggered loose avalanches were possible on sunny slopes but not particularly reactive.  I imagine that in a few isolated places, you could have triggered a loose avalanche that gouged deeper into the snowpack.  This may change with a weaker refreeze Friday night.

Northerly slopes around midday were more reactive for loose avalanche activity as last week's dry snow began to wet.  We found dry snow on due north features above about 11,700 feet.  I quickly dug on a north feature at 11,300 feet and found moist to wet snow down to the April Fool's crust.  A small amount of meltwater was pooling on the 4/1 crust at this location, but the feature lacked a slab, just thin, mashed potato slop above the crust, so there was no real Wet Slab concern at the 4/1 interface.